Glibenclamide, called glyburide in the USA, may be the most prescribed antidiabetic drug. Like other sulphonylureas, glibenclamide inhibits the ATP dependent potassium efflux from pancreatic (islet) b-cells. This leads to the influx of calcium ions into the cell and to the activation of enzymes that cause the release of insulin. On a long-term basis sulphonylureas probably also influence the hepatic glucose metabolism and the peripheral insulin effect.

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