The present invention is related to the use of sulfonamide derivatives in the treatment of metabolic disorders mediated by insulin resistance or hyperglycemia, comprising diabetes type II, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Formula (I). R.sup.1 is selected from the group comprising or consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.6-alkoxy, C.sub.1-C.sub.6-alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.6-alkenyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.6-alkynyl, amino, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, sulfonamide, acylamino, aminocarbonyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carboxy, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, hydrazides. R.sup.2 is selected from the group comprising or consisting of hydrogen, COOR3, --CONR.sup.3R.sup.3', OH, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl substituted with an OH or amino group, a hydrazido carbonyl group, a sulfate, a sulfonate, an amine or an ammonium salt. Y is an 4-12-membered saturated cyclic or bicyclic alkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom, whereby one nitrogen atom within said ring is forming a bond with the sulfonyl group of formula I thus providing the sulfonamide. ##STR00001##