Type 2 diabetes in elderly patients

Type 2 diabetes in patients over 65. Key features: increased hypoglycemia risk, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, fall risk. Beers Criteria recommend avoiding long-acting sulfonylureas in this group.

ICD-10 E111 drug

Also known as: T2D in older adults

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

FGlibenclamideNot recommended · Oral hypoglycemic agents. SulfonylureasGlibenclamide is not used in patients over 65. The 2023 Beers Criteria classify the drug as «avoid in older adults» due to high risk of prolonged hypoglycemia. Active metabolites accumulate with age-related eGFR decline, thyroid disorders and dehydration, sharply increasing severe hypoglycemia risk – a leading cause of falls and hospitalizations in older diabetic patients.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit