A sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agent that is metabolized in the liver to 1-hydrohexamide. Acetohexamide has been discontinued in the US market.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Sulfonylureas such as acetohexamide bind to an ATP-dependent K+ channel on the cell membrane of pancreatic beta cells. This inhibits a tonic, hyperpolarizing outflux of potassium, which causes the electric potential over the membrane to become more positive. This depolarization opens voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. The rise in intracellular calcium leads to increased fusion of insulin granulae with the cell membrane, and therefore increased secretion of (pro)insulin.
- Primary indication
- Used in the management of diabetes mellitus type 2 (adult-onset).Curator reviewed
- Formula / weight
- C15H20N2O4S · 324.395 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1963
- Code names
- 33006
Resolves to
VGZSUPCWNCWDAN-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCC(=O)C1=CC=C(C=C1)S(=O)(=O)NC(=O)NC1CCCCC1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Acetohexamide, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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