Glyburide

Generic Name: glyburide (GLYE bue ride)
Brand Names: DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase

What is glyburide?

Glyburide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.

Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Glyburide is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Important information

You should not use Glyburide if you are being treated with bosentan (Tracleer), or if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Before taking glyburide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, if you have been using insulin or chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or if you have hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells), an enzyme deficiency (G6PD), a nerve disorder, liver disease, or kidney disease.

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Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use glyburide if you are allergic to it, or:

if you are being treated with bosentan (Tracleer);

if you have type 1 diabetes; or

if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells);

an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD);

a nerve disorder affecting bodily functions;

liver or kidney disease; or

an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Before taking glyburide, tell your doctor if you have taken chlorpropamide or used insulin during the past 2 weeks.

Certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Follow your doctor's instructions about taking glyburide if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and your dose needs may be different during each trimester of pregnancy. Your dose needs may also be different while you are breast-feeding. Your doctor may want you to use insulin while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

It is not known whether glyburide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take glyburide?

Take glyburide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take glyburide with your first meal of the day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.