Version July 2025
| Generation | Generic name | Brand name (United States) | Time to peak (hours) | Half-life (hours) | Duration of action (hours) | Metabolism and clearance | Active metabolites |
| First* | Chlorpropamide | Diabinese | 2 to 7 | 36¶ | 24 to 72 | Hepatically by CYP2C9; renally as active metabolite (55%) and unchanged drug (20%) | Yes |
| First* | Tolbutamide | Orinase | 3 to 4 | 4.5 to 6.5¶ (range 3 to 28) | 6 to 12 (up to 24 after repeated dosing) | Hepatically by CYP2C9; renally as active metabolite (30%)Δ | Yes |
| Second* | Gliclazide | Diamicron (Canada and elsewhere) | 2 to 4 | 8 to 12 | 12 to 24 | Hepatically by CYP2C9 | No |
| Second* | Gliclazide modified-release | Diamicron MR (Canada and elsewhere) | 6 | 12 to 20 | 24 | Hepatically by CYP2C9 | No |
| Second | Glipizide | Glucotrol | 1 to 3 | 2 to 5 | 16 to 24 | Hepatically by CYP2C9; renally as unchanged drug (<10%) | No |
| Second | Glipizide extended-release | Glucotrol XL | 6 to 12 | 7 | 24 | Hepatically by CYP2C9; renally as unchanged drug (<10%) | No |
| Second | Glyburide (glibenclamide) | Micronase DiaBeta Glynase | 2 to 6 | 10¶ | <24 | Hepatically by CYP2C9; renally as active metabolites (36%) | Yes |
| Third | Glimepiride | Amaryl | 2 to 3 | 5 to 9¶ | 16 to 24 | Hepatically by CYP2C9; renally as active metabolite (63%)◊ | Yes |
CYP: cytochrome P450.
* Not available in the United States but may be available elsewhere. Refer to local product availability.
¶ Half-life prolonged in older adults or renal impairment; duration of action may be prolonged.
Δ Active metabolite (hydroxytolbutamide) has less hypoglycemic effect than parent drug.
◊ Active metabolite (cyclohexylhydroxymethyl derivative) has less hypoglycemic effect than parent drug.