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Common brand names: Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas, an organ behind your stomach.
Normally, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood. When a person has
diabetes, the pancreas either does not make insulin, does not make enough
insulin or the insulin made does not work as it should. When you eat or drink,
much of your food is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose
provides the energy your body needs for daily activities. Insulin helps sugar
get inside the body's cells for use as energy.
Why is this drug prescribed?
Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes, especially in people whose
diabetes can not be controlled by diet alone. Glyburide is not used to treat
type 1 diabetes.
Glyburide lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin
and helping the body use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of
producing insulin for this medication to work. Glyburide is used to control high
blood sugar, not to cure diabetes. Therefore, it is intended for long-term
therapy.
How and when should glyburide be used?
Glyburide comes in tablets and is usually taken once a day with breakfast or
twice a day with breakfast and dinner. Your prescription label tells you how
much to take at each dose -- follow these instructions carefully and ask your
doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Take your
doses at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or take less or more of the
medication than your doctor prescribes. Ask your pharmacist any questions you
have about refilling your prescription.
What special instructions should I follow while using this drug?
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sulfonylureas or to
sulfonamide-type (sulfa) medicines, including thiazide diuretics (a type of
water pill). Also tell your doctor if you have any other allergies.
- Before glyburide is prescribed, tell your health care provider
about any other medicines you may be taking, including vitamins, herbals,
dietary supplements, and other prescription and nonprescription
(over-the-counter) medications.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding. Usually, insulin
is required to control diabetes during pregnancy.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so
your response to the drug can be monitored. It may be necessary to adjust
your dose, especially during the first few weeks while taking this
medication.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney, liver, or
heart problems or problems with your adrenal or pituitary gland.
- Tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking
may decrease the effectiveness of glyburide.
- Follow your doctor's advice on quitting smoking and losing
weight. Your doctor may prescribe a diet that restricts calories if you are
overweight. A registered dietitian can work with you and your doctor to
develop an appropriate eating plan.
- Follow your doctor's advice on diet and exercise. Glyburide is
not a substitute for proper diet or regular physical activity -- the foods
you eat and how much you exercise will determine how well glyburide works to
control your diabetes. Follow a regular routine of exercising, eating your
meals and taking your medications at the same time every day; try not to
skip meals. Also maintain a regular exercise schedule -- the best time to
exercise is 1/2 to 1 hour after eating. If you exercise heavily, your
insulin and/or oral medication may need to be changed. Talk to your health
care provider about how to do this.
- If you are sick with a cold, fever or flu, you need to take
your usual dose of glyburide, even if you feel too sick to eat. If you can
not eat solid foods, make sure you are drinking liquids.
- Follow your doctor's guidelines on drinking alcoholic beverages
while taking this medication. Alcohol can cause low blood sugar and other
side effects.
- Follow your doctor's guidelines on using proper hygiene,
avoiding infections, taking medication for high blood pressure (if
prescribed) and avoiding emotional stress.
- Wear a medical identification (I.D.) bracelet or chain at all
times, in case of an emergency. Also carry an I.D. card in your wallet that
says you have diabetes and a list of all your medications.
- Be sure that you always have enough of this medication on hand.
Check your supply before vacations, holidays, and other occasions when you
may be unable to obtain it.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Follow your doctor's guidelines on what to do if you miss a dose. In
general, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule. Do not
take a double dose.
What are the common side effects? What can I do about them?
In general, contact your doctor if any side effects occur, especially signs
of high or low blood sugar.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)—Symptoms include
headache, sudden hunger, sweating, shakiness, anxiety, increased heart rate,
weakness, numbness or tingling in your mouth or lips, fatigue, confusion,
irritability, and blurred vision. If you have any of these symptoms,
check your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level is less than 70
mg/dl, eat or drink something containing sugar (such as 1/2 cup of fruit
juice or 4 pieces of hard candy). Call your doctor to report your symptoms.
- Drowsiness or dizziness.—Alcohol can add to the
drowsiness caused by this drug. Use caution when performing activities
that require alertness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you
know how glyburide affects you.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)—Symptoms include
blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushed and dry skin, fruit-like
breath odor, increased urination, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and
unusual thirst
Call your doctor for advice on how to change your glyburide dose.
- Feeling faint—Ask someone to take you to your
doctor or emergency room right away.
- Skin sensitivity to sunlight—Wear sunscreen,
protective clothing, sunglasses when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and
tanning beds.
When should I call my doctor?
Call your doctor right away if you:
- Have excessive thirst, hunger or frequent urination
- Experience seizures or fainting episodes
- Notice an increase in your blood sugar levels
- Develop a skin rash, have itching or redness
- Notice a yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Have light-colored stools or dark urine
- Have unusual bleeding or bruising
- Have a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Have any other symptoms that cause concern
What storage conditions are necessary for this drug?
- Keep glyburide in the container it came in.
- Store tablets at room temperature.
- Store it away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
- Keep glyburide out of the reach of children.
- Never share your medication with anyone.
- Never take outdated medications. Some medication prescription
labels list an expiration date. If such a date is not on your medication
label or if you are unsure how old a medication is, call your pharmacy.
This handout summarizes information to help you understand and safely take
your medication. Other information--not included in this handout--may be
important for you to know because of your unique health status. Ask your doctor
and/or pharmacist for more information on the medications prescribed for you and
your unique health care needs.
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