What is the most important information I should know about glyburide?
You should not use this medicine if you are being treated with bosentan (Tracleer), or if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment). Glyburide is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
What is glyburide?
Glyburide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.
Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
This medicine is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Glyburide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking glyburide?
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 glyburide 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 glyburide.
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?
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.
If your doctor changes your brand, strength, or type of glyburide, your dosage needs may change. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the new kind of glyburide you receive at the pharmacy.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A glyburide overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, confusion, tremors, sweating, fast heart rate, trouble speaking, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking glyburide?
If you also take colesevelam, avoid taking it within 4 hours after you take glyburide.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Glyburide can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
What are the possible side effects of glyburide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using glyburide and call your doctor at once if you have:
- sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat,
- mouth sores, red or swollen gums, easy bruising or bleeding;
-
low levels of sodium in the body --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
-
liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
-
severe skin reaction --fever, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body), itching, blisters, breakdown of the outer layer of skin.
Older adults may be more likely to have low blood sugar while taking glyburide.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, upset stomach, heartburn, feeling full;
- muscle or joint pain;
- blurred vision; or
- mild rash or skin redness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect glyburide?
Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of glyburide. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about glyburide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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