Glucobene

Glucobene or glibenclamide (better known as glyburide USAN), is a powerful anti-diabetic drug that belongs to the class of medications called sulfonylureas. Glucobene is used to treat type II diabetes. It is prescribed in varied doses of 1.25 mg, 1.75 mg, 2.5 mg, 3.5 mg and 5 mg according to the severity of the disease. They are also known by different trade names Glynase, Diabeta and Micronase in the United States and Euglucon, Daonil and Semi-Daonil in the United Kingdom, Diabenol and Glucobene in other countries. They are also prescribed in combination with metformin with the trade name Glucovance.

As per the updated reports of 2007, Glucobene is one of the two oral anti-diabetic drugs that come in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines. The other one is metformin. During the year 2003, it was known to be the most popular sulfonyurea in the United States.

Moreover, according to a recent research it has been found that Glucobene helps in improving the effect in animal stroke models and is found to prevent brain swelling. According to a retrospective study, it was revealed that type 2 diabetic patients who were previously taking this drug was found with an improved NIH stroke scale scores on their discharge as compared to other diabetic patients not using Glucobene.

Glucobene works by a simple mechanism of action. During its action, its helps in suppressing ATP-sensitive potassium channels within the pancreatic beta cells as a result of which it leads to the depolarization of the cell membrane. This depolarization leads to the opening of the voltage-dependent calcium channels so that an increase in intracellular calcium in the beta cell is caused. This finally helps in stimulating the release of insulin.

Some side effects and contraindications of this drug are also reported. Using Glucobene is found to cause hypoglycemia and for some people the risk for cholestatic jaundice is also found.