Effects of glibenclamide/glyburide on stroke: Systematic review

Glibenclamide (GBC), although traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, has demonstrated efficacy in preventing cerebral edema in the setting of stroke, including preserving the integrity of the vascular endothelium, reducing edema and inhibiting brain death. The objective is to investigate the effects of glibenclamide in individuals who have suffered a stroke.

This is a systematic review. The following databases were used: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Lilacs, Scielo, Cochrane Library and Science Direct. Data collection was carried out from June to November 2023. Studies were included in which the effects of glibenclamide were evaluated in individuals (of both sexes and without age restrictions) diagnosed with stroke. The studies should have been published in the last 10 years; there was no restriction on the language of publication. Review studies and studies that included other pathologies in the same group were excluded.

10 articles were included. The total number of participants was 853 individuals. The results of the studies demonstrated, in general, lower mortality, reduction in midline displacement and cerebral edema in the groups that used glibencamide. There were no hemorrhagic events or hypoglycemia.

The use of glibenclamide had a favorable effect on individuals who had suffered a stroke. However, new studies with a larger sample size and involving other databases are needed so that these results can be generalized and the use of GBC in stroke can be validated.