What is Glyburide?
Glyburide is an oral diabetes medication that aids in controlling glucose levels in the blood.
Glyburide can be used in conjunction with exercise and diet to enhance blood sugar control for people suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.Glyburide isn't a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Warnings
Glyburide should not be used when you are treated with bosentan (Tracleer) or are suffering from diabetes ketoacidosis (call your physician to seek treatment). Glyburide does not work for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Before taking glyburide, tell your doctor if you're intolerant to sulfa-based drugs, if you've used chlorpropamide or insulin (Diabinese), or if you suffer from hemolytic anemia (an absence of blood red cells), insufficient enzymes (G6PD), or a liver disease, nerve disorder, or kidney disease.
Be careful not to allow your blood sugar to get low enough. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is possible if you do not eat or exercise enough, drink too much alcohol, or are experiencing stress. The symptoms include hunger, headaches, sweating, weakness, and irritability. It can also cause tremors or difficulty concentrating. Take hard sweets or glucose tablets to help if you are suffering from lower blood sugar levels. Other sources of sugar include milk and orange juice. Be sure your family members and close friends are aware of what to do in the event of an emergency.
Before you Take this Drug
Glyburide should not be used in the event that you have an allergy to it or:
- You are being treated by Bosentan (Tracleer).
- You have type 1 diabetes,
- You have diabetes ketoacidosis (call your doctor to discuss treatment).
Inform your doctor if you have ever suffered from:
- Hemolytic anemia (an absence of blood red cells);
- A nerve disorder that affects bodily functions
- Kidney or liver disease,
- An allergy to sulfa medications.
Before you take glyburide, inform your doctor if you've used an oral diabetes medicine or insulin within the last two weeks.
Glyburide can increase the chances of having serious heart issues. If you don't treat your diabetes, it could also harm your heart and other organs. Discuss with your physician the dangers and benefits associated with this drug.Contact your doctor if you are nursing or expecting.
Follow the directions of your physician regarding the use of glyburide if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Controlling diabetes is crucial during pregnancy, and high blood sugar can cause problems for the mother as well as the infant.
How to take Glyburide?
Glyburide is usually consumed in conjunction with breakfast or as the first dinner of the day.
Read the instructions on the prescription label, as well as read the medication directions or guidelines. Your doctor might alter the dosage. Make sure you take the medicine exactly as prescribed.Your blood sugar levels may require regular testing, and you might require other blood tests in the doctor's office.
Low levels of blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur in anyone suffering from diabetes. The symptoms are headaches and fatigue, sweating, irritability, dizziness, vomiting, a fast heart rate, and feeling nervous or shaky. For quick treatment of low blood sugar, you should always have sugar that is fast-acting on hand, like fruit juice crackers, hard candy raisins, and non-diet soda.
The doctor may prescribe the insulin kits for emergency use in the event that you suffer from extreme hypoglycemia and are unable to consume food or drink. Make sure that your family and friends are aware of the procedure to administer the injection in an emergency.Be aware of symptoms that indicate excessive levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia), like more thirst or frequent urination.
The blood sugar levels may change due to stress or illness, surgery, drinking alcohol, exercise, or avoiding meals. Talk to your doctor before altering your medication or dosage schedule.
If your doctor alters the strength, brand, or type of glyburide you are taking, the dosage requirements may be altered. Talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions regarding the new glyburide you purchased from the pharmacy.Keep the bottle at room temperature, free of heat and moisture. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed when not being used.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you can; however, avoid your missed dose if you are close to the time of the next dose. Avoid taking two doses at once. Do two doses in one go.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A glyburide-related overdose could cause fatal hypoglycemia.
Signs of severe hypoglycemia may include extreme fatigue as well as nausea, tremors, and vomiting. disorientation, sweating, difficulty speaking, rapid heartbeats, or seizures.
What Should be Avoided?
Beware of drinking alcohol. It can lower blood sugar levels and interfere with your treatment for diabetes.
Glyburide can cause sunburn more quickly. Avoid sun exposure or tanning beds. Be sure to wear protective attire and sunblock (SPF 30 or more) while you're outdoors.
Side effects of Glyburide
Contact emergency medical attention when you notice symptoms warning of an allergy reaction (hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme skin reaction (fever, burning or sore throats, irritation in your eyes, skin irritation, or a red or purple eruption that causes peeling and blistering).
Contact your doctor immediately. If you are suffering from:
- Dark blood; jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
- Extreme skin rash, redness, or itching
- Pale skin, no bleeding or bruising
- Chills, fever, and chills Sore tongue, sore throat,
- Lower sodium levels in the body, headaches, and confusion speech slurred, intense weakening, vomiting, losing coordination, feeling unstable
Adults who are older might be more likely to be low in blood sugar when taking glyburide.
The most common side effects of glyburide are:
- Low blood sugar levels;
- Vomiting, burning sensations, and feeling full.
- Muscles or joint discomfort;
- Blurred vision
Redness or a mild rash over the body. There isn't an exhaustive description of the various adverse consequences. Other side effects could occur. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
Standard Glyburide:
Initial dosage: 2.5 mg to 5 mg taken orally, once a day.
Dose titration: Increase dose by increments of not greater than 2.5 mg per week at weekly intervals dependent on blood glucose response.
Maintenance dosage: 1.25 to 20 mg orally in an individual dose or divided doses
Maximum dose: 20 mg/day
Micronized glyburide
Initial dosage: 1.5 mg to 3 mg once orally every day.
Dose titration: Increase dose by increments of not greater than 1.5 mg every week depending on the blood glucose responses.
Dose for maintenance: 0.75 to 12 mg orally in an individual dose or in multiple doses.
Maximum dose: 12 mg/day
Comments:
Take care to administer breakfast, or the main food of the morning.
Lower doses can be prescribed to patients who are prone to hypoglycemic medications.
Once-a-day treatment is generally acceptable; however, certain patients might have better results with two doses per day, particularly those who are taking more doses.
TRANSFER FROM OTHER HYPOGLYCEMIC THERAPY:
Oral Antidiabetic Therapy: No exact dosage relationship exists between standard glyburide micronized glyburide and any other hypoglycemic medications for oral use; when patients are transferred from other oral hypoglycemic treatments, the dosages that are maximum for initial use must be taken into consideration.
-Insulin:
If the dose of insulin is lower than 20 units daily, replace 2.5 up to 5 mg (standard) or 1.5 to 3 mg (micronized) orally every day.
If the dose of insulin is between 20 and 40 units per day, replace 5 mg (standard) or 3 mg (micronized) every day.
If the insulin dose is greater than 40 units per day, change the patient's dose by decreasing insulin by 50% and begin glyburide with five mg (standard) or three mg (micronized) orally every day. As the insulin levels decrease gradually, increase the dose by intervals in the range of 1.25 to 2.5 mg (standard) or 0.75 to 1.5 mg (micronized) orally every day for between 2 and 10 days.
Use as an adjunct to exercise and a diet to increase glycemic control in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
Initial dosage: 1.25 to 2.5 mg (standard) orally, or 0.75 up to 1.5 milligrammes (micronized) orally every day.
Interaction with Other Drugs
If you take colesevelam as well, make sure you take your dose of glyburide 4 hours prior to taking colesevelam.
Glyburide might not function effectively when you are taking other medications simultaneously. Other medications can impact the regulation of blood sugar. This includes prescription and over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies. The interactions of all drugs are mentioned here. Inform your doctor of your current medications and any medications you begin or stop taking
