Endocrine medications

Dental Considerations for Patients Taking Sulfonylurea (gliclazide/glibenclamide)

Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)

Record of sulfonylurea. The points below cover relevant oral side-effects and drug interactions so prescribing and treatment remain safe and non-conflicting.

Emergency vs routine management

If EMERGENCY — what to do

• Hypoglycaemia (glucose < 4 mmol/L / 70 mg/dL, sweating, confusion): give 15–20 g fast-acting glucose orally, recheck after 15 min; if unconscious give glucagon 1 mg IM and call emergency services.Ref: Resuscitation Council UK. Medical emergencies and resuscitation — Standards for dental practice, 2020 (updated 2023)

If ROUTINE — what to do

• Morning appointment after a meal; glucose available chairside.Ref: American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes — 2024 (Hypoglycaemia; Perioperative care). Diabetes Care 2024;47(Suppl 1)

Clinical precautions

• Hypoglycaemia risk — ensure the patient has eaten; have glucose available.
• Avoid prescribing drugs that interact; verify any new prescription against the patient's full medication list.

At a glance by procedure

Initial assessment before lab results or timing details are entered.

Procedure	Initial assessment
Examination / radiographs	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)
Supragingival scaling / polish	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)
Deep scaling / subgingival RSD (subgingival calculus)	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)
Root canal treatment	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)
Simple extraction (1–3 teeth)	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)
Surgical / bony extraction	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)
Implant placement	MODIFY / CAUTION Hypoglycaemia precautions (sulfonylurea)

Get a patient-specific decision in seconds

Combine all conditions, medications, lab results and the planned procedure — with anaesthetic dose calculation, lab requests and a referral letter PDF.

References

Drug considerations in dentistry (oral side-effects & interactions)
Resuscitation Council UK. Medical emergencies and resuscitation — Standards for dental practice, 2020 (updated 2023)
American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes — 2024 (Hypoglycaemia; Perioperative care). Diabetes Care 2024;47(Suppl 1)

This guide supports — and does not replace — professional clinical judgment. Always consider the individual patient and consult the treating physician when indicated.