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What is glyburide?
Glyburide is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to help control blood sugar levels. Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes along with diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, if necessary. Glyburide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of glyburide?

Stop taking glyburide and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects from glyburide result mostly from blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency situation.

Low blood sugar may occur when too much glyburide is taken; when meals are missed or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking alcohol; and in other situations.

Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar has the following symptoms:

• shaking;

• headache;

• cold sweats;

• pale, cool skin;

• anxiety; and

• difficulty concentrating.

Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood sugar.

Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough glyburide is taken; if you eat significantly more food than usual; if you exercise less than usual; if you take other medications; during fever or other illness; and in other situations.

Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar has the following symptoms:

• increased thirst,

• increased hunger, and

• increased urination.

There may be an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) complications with the use of glyburide when compared to the treatment of diabetes with diet or diet plus insulin. The long-term use of glyburide should be discussed with your doctor.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take glyburide?
Take glyburide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Glyburide is usually taken before breakfast or the first main meal if it is taken once a day, or before meals if it is taken multiple times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to take glyburide regularly to get the most benefit. Do not change your dose of glyburide without first talking to your doctor.

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What is the most important information I should know about glyburide?
Treatment with glyburide may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to treatment of diabetes with diet alone or diet plus insulin. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of treatment with glyburide. Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar. Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of them can affect blood sugar levels.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect glyburide?
Many other medicines may increase or decrease the effects of glyburide or affect your condition. Before taking glyburide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: aspirin or another salicylate such as magnesium/choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol); a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and others;

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Glyburide has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of fetal toxicity. Other sulfonylureas have been associated with an increased teratogenic risk in animal studies. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. The use of oral sulfonylureas during pregnancy has been reported to result in neonatal hypoglycemia. Insulin remains the mainstay of therapy for gestational diabetes due to the close glucose control it affords. The manufacturer states that glyburide should not be used during pregnancy. Glyburide is generally considered contraindicated during pregnancy and is only recommend for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

Maternal to fetal transfer of the second generation sulfonylureas (i.e. glyburide, glipizide) appears to be significantly lower than that of the first generation sulfonylureas. This data suggests that reduced or insignificant fetal exposure may occur with maternal administration of the second generation agents. Additional studies are needed to fully assess the safety of these agents for use during pregnancy.

There are no data on the excretion of glyburide into human milk. Other sulfonylureas are excreted into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to glyburide or any ingredient in the formulation.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma.
• Monotherapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

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What does my medication look like?
Glyburide is available with a prescription under the brand names Diabeta, Glynase, and Micronase. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Diabeta 1.25 mg--oblong, peach-colored, scored tablets Diabeta 5 mg--oblong, light-green, scored tablets Glynase PresTab 1.5 mg--ovoid, contoured, white, scored tablets Glynase PresTab 3 mg--ovoid, contoured, blue, scored tablets Glynase PresTab 6 mg--ovoid, contoured, yellow, scored tablets

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a glyburide overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glyburide?
Before taking glyburide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; have liver disease; have thyroid disease; have type 1 diabetes; have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or need surgery. You may not be able to take glyburide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Patients 65 years of age and older may have a stronger reaction to glyburide and may require a reduced dose. Glyburide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether glyburide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Insulin is usually the drug of choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take glyburide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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