What is "sulfonylurea"

n. Any of a class of antidiabetic drugs that act by increasing insulin release from the beta cells in the pancreas.

n. antidiabetic consisting of any of several drugs that reduce the level of glucose in the blood; used to treat diabetes mellitus

Sulfonylureas (UK: sulphonylurea) are a class of organic compounds used in medicine and agriculture. They are antidiabetic drugs widely used in the management of diabetes mellitus type 2. They act by increasing insulin release from the beta cells in the pancreas. A number of sulfonylureas are also used as herbicides ("weedkiller"), because they can interfere with plant biosynthesis of certain amino acids.