Difference between insulin & sulfonylurea

1. Insulin is given by subcutaneous route while sulfonylureas are given orally.
2. Insulin is used predominately in type I diabetes, while sulfonylureas are used predominately in type II patients.
3. Insulin is a peptide hormone synthesized in body by beta cells of pancreas, while sulfonylureas are synthetic sulfa group of drugs.
4. Insulin stimulate glucose transport across the cell by ATP dependent translocation of glucose transportes GLUT 1 & GLUT 4, while sulfonylureas release insulin by blocking ATP dependent K channels in beta cells of pancreas.