Definition

A type of medication used to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Example

The doctor prescribed a sulfonylurea to help manage my blood sugar levels.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of sulfonylurea medications for diabetes?

Yeah, I think they're used to help increase insulin production, right?

Exactly! My doctor mentioned it when we discussed treatment options.

That makes sense; it's good to know there are different options available.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sulfonylurea is formed from "sulfonyl" (from the root "sulfon-" meaning sulfur and "-yl" indicating a chemical group) and "urea" (from Latin "urea", meaning a compound containing nitrogen). The term refers to a class of compounds that contain both sulfur and urea, commonly used in diabetes treatment.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sulfon-' as relating to sulfur and 'urea' as a nitrogen compound, which helps you remember that sulfonylurea is a compound that combines these elements.

Visually Confused Words