Sulfonylurea's (SUs) e.g., glimepiride have long been an effective and low-cost mainstay of type 2 diabetes therapy; as with metformin, SU monotherapy can be expected to reduce HbA1C by 1.0% to 2.0%. SUs are a common alternative or add-on to metformin and act by stimulating pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion in a glucose-independent manner. Weight gain is a common adverse effect of SU therapy, as is an increased risk of hypoglycemia, particularly in the elderly and in patients with worsening renal function.