Uses
What is glyburide used for?
Glyburide is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Glyburide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does glyburide work (mechanism of action)?
Glyburide helps to increase your body’s insulin levels. Insulin is released from your pancreas. It is a hormone that helps your body use blood sugar (glucose) as a source of energy.
How is glyburide supplied (dosage forms)?
Glyburide is available as Diabeta, Glynase, and generic glyburide in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 1.25 mg oral tablets
- 2.5 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg oral tablets
- 1.5 mg micronized oral tablets
- 3 mg micronized oral tablets
- 6 mg micronized oral tablets
How should I store glyburide?
Glyburide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of glyburide?
The most common side effects of glyburide are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Low blood sugar (see below)
- Nausea
- A feeling that your stomach is full
- Heartburn
- Itching or rash
There may be other side effects of glyburide that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of glyburide?
While less common, the most serious side effects of glyburide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Glyburide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using glyburide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Glyburide can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not use glyburide and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use glyburide?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use glyburide.
- Glyburide
- Diabeta
- Glycron
- Glynase or Glynase PresTabs
- Micronase
- Any other medicine containing glyburide
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific glyburide products they stock.
Type 1 Diabetes. Glyburide is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Glyburide is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
Drug Interactions. Glyburide should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking glyburide, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
What should I know about glyburide before using it?
Do not take glyburide unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share glyburide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep glyburide out of the reach of children.
Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.
People who are 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from glyburide. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
Glyburide can affect your alertness or coordination, especially if your blood sugar drops too low. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how glyburide affects you.
Take glyburide tablets with breakfast (or your first meal of the day).
Glyburide can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using glyburide?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if glyburide is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- If you drink alcohol
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Sulfa Allergy. Some people who have a sulfa allergy may also be allergic to glyburide. A sulfa allergy is a rash or more serious reaction to sulfa, or sulfonamide, medicines. Sulfa medicines include sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine silver, or sulfasalazine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any allergies to medicines. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if it is safe for you to take glyburide.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how glyburide could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take glyburide while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if glyburide passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take glyburide while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does glyburide interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between glyburide and foods or most drinks. However, your risk of low blood sugar may be increased if you take glyburide without eating or if you drink alcohol while taking glyburide.
Does glyburide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using glyburide.
- Colesevelam (Welchol), a medicine used for high cholesterol
- Miconazole (Oravig), a medicine used for fungal infections
- Warfarin (Jantoven), a medicine used for blood clots
Many other medicines can increase your blood sugar and can interfere with the effect of glyburide. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while taking glyburide. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely during these times.
Some medicines can decrease your blood sugar, adding to the effect of glyburide. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while taking glyburide. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely during these times.
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of glyburide, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Some medicines may make it difficult to notice signs of low blood sugar. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely if you take any of these medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with glyburide. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much glyburide?
If you or someone else has used too much glyburide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of glyburide?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember (with food). If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Glyburide needs to be taken with food to reduce your risk of low blood sugar.
You Might Also Like
Are you currently using Glyburide?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.