Dose-response relationships of sulfonylureas: Will doubling the dose double the response?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is currently a global health problem. Although the armamentarium of oral hypoglycemic agents is continuously expanding, sulfonylureas (SUs) are still extensively used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, despite decades of use, there is controversy as to the dosing of SUs. Despite many dose-response relationship studies indicating that SUs should be prescribed at lower doses, their dose recommendations remain unchanged. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that high doses of SUs may result in a deterioration of glycemic control and increased frequency of protracted hypoglycemic episodes. In view of the controversial dose-response relationship of SUs, it is suggested that the dose of SUs be titrated against glycemic parameters of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin.