Which type of patients may experience more severe hypoglycemia when using sulfonylureas?

Sulfonylureas are a class of medications used to manage blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. They work by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin, which can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels. Certain populations are at an increased risk for more severe hypoglycemia when using these medications.

Elderly, debilitated, or malnourished patients may experience more severe hypoglycemia due to several factors. For instance, older adults often have altered physiological responses to medications, including differences in kidney function, which can affect drug metabolism and elimination. Additionally, they may have less physiological reserve to tolerate drops in blood sugar, leading to more pronounced symptoms.

Debilitated individuals, who may have chronic conditions or be in a weakened state, often have decreased glycogen stores and may not respond adequately to hypoglycemic events, thus increasing the risk of severe drops in blood sugar levels. Malnourished patients may have insufficient nutritional support to counteract the effects of insulin release, placing them at higher risk for significant hypoglycemic episodes.

Therefore, this population's specific vulnerabilities to the effects of sulfonylureas make them particularly susceptible to experiencing more severe hypoglycemia when using these medications.