Glyburide

💊 What is Glyburide used for?

• •The label says glyburide is used, along with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

How it works

The label describes glyburide as an oral blood-glucose-lowering drug of the sulfonylurea class. It is meant to lower blood sugar, and the label does not describe its exact mechanism in detail.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says glyburide is taken by mouth. It is usually started with breakfast or the first main meal. The label says there is no fixed dose for everyone, so the prescriber checks blood sugar to find the amount that works. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •1.25 mg tablets
• •2.5 mg tablets
• •5 mg tablets

⚠️ Glyburide side effects

🛑 Who should not take Glyburide, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to glyburide or any of its ingredients. The label says this is a contraindication.
• 🚨You have diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma. The label says this should be treated with insulin.
• 🚨You have type 1 diabetes. The label lists this as a contraindication.
• 🚨You are taking bosentan. The label says glyburide and bosentan together are contraindicated because of an increased risk of liver enzyme elevations.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber about kidney or liver problems. The label says these can raise glyburide levels and increase the risk of serious low blood sugar.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have G6PD deficiency. The label says caution is needed, and a non-sulfonylurea alternative should be considered.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have adrenal or pituitary problems, or if you are elderly, weak, or malnourished. The label says these groups are more sensitive to the blood-sugar-lowering effects.
• •Tell your prescriber if you take beta-blockers. The label says low blood sugar can be harder to recognize in people taking these medicines.
• •Tell your prescriber if you are sick with fever, infection, injury, or are having surgery. The label says blood sugar control may be lost during stress, and insulin may be needed.
• •Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take. The label lists many drugs that can change how glyburide works.

🔀 Glyburide with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Bosentan: The label says glyburide and bosentan should not be taken together.
• •Medicines that can increase low blood sugar: The label lists non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, salicylates, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, probenecid, coumarins, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and beta-blockers. The label says people should be watched closely for low blood sugar when these are started or stopped.
• •Medicines that can raise blood sugar: The label lists thiazide and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blockers, and isoniazid. The label says these can lead to loss of blood sugar control.
• •Ciprofloxacin: The label reports a possible interaction that increased the blood-sugar-lowering effect of glyburide.
• •Miconazole taken by mouth: The label reports a potential interaction that led to severe low blood sugar.
• •Colesevelam: The label says it lowers glyburide levels when taken together.
• •Metformin: The label says the interaction is uncertain, and that taking the two together did not change metformin levels or effects.

Alcohol and food

The label says hypoglycemia is more likely when alcohol is consumed, and when calorie intake is low. It says glyburide is usually taken with breakfast or the first main meal. The label also says adherence to dietary instructions is important, and that proper diet is a main part of diabetes treatment.

🤰 Glyburide in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says there are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It says glyburide should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, and that many experts recommend insulin during pregnancy. The label also says prolonged low blood sugar has been reported in newborns whose mothers took a sulfonylurea at delivery. If glyburide is used during pregnancy, the label says it should be stopped at least two weeks before the expected delivery date.

Breastfeeding

The label says it is not known whether glyburide passes into human milk, but some sulfonylureas do. Because low blood sugar may occur in nursing infants, the label says a decision should be made about whether to stop nursing or stop the drug, considering how important the drug is to the mother. Talk with your prescriber about this.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label does not say.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says an overdose of sulfonylureas, including glyburide, can cause low blood sugar. Mild symptoms can be treated with oral glucose, and the person should be monitored closely. Severe reactions with coma, seizure, or other neurological problems are medical emergencies that need immediate hospital care. If you think someone has taken too much, seek emergency medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Glyburide

• What blood sugar level should I aim for while taking glyburide?
• What symptoms of low blood sugar should I watch for, and what should I do if they happen?
• How should I take glyburide with my meals, and what should I do if I skip a meal?
• Do my kidney or liver tests need to be checked while I take this medicine?
• Should I be tested for G6PD deficiency before taking glyburide?
• What should I do if I get sick with a fever, infection, or injury?
• Are any of my other medicines or supplements known to interact with glyburide?

❓ Glyburide: frequently asked questions