Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen
September 2000
Background: The use of sulphonylureas for type 2 diabetes has been debated since 1970, when the University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP) reported increased cardiovascular mortality with tolbutamide treatment.
Material And Methods: We try to present a balanced review of the current knowledge of the possible cardiovascular side effects of sulphonylureas.
Results: Recent studies on the molecular actions of sulphonylureas show that sulphonylureas, in addition to closing K+ ATP channels in insulin producing cells, also do so in the myocard and in vascular smooth muscle.