Glyburide

Pronunciation: GLYE-bure-ide
Generic Name: Glyburide
Brand Name: DiaBeta

Glyburide is used for:

Treating type 2 diabetes. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines.

Glyburide is a sulfonylurea antidiabetic medicine. It works by causing the pancreas to release insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar.

Do NOT use Glyburide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Glyburide


• you have type 1 diabetes or certain severe problems associated with diabetes (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic coma)


• you have moderate to severe burns or very high blood acid levels (acidosis)


• you are pregnant and are within 2 weeks of the expected delivery date


• you are taking bosentan

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Glyburide:

Some medical conditions may interact with Glyburide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to any other sulfonamide medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), glipizide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide


• if you have a history of liver, kidney, thyroid, or heart problems


• if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, stomach or bowel blockage, stomach paralysis), drink alcohol, or have had poor nutrition


• if you have a certain nerve problem (autonomic neuropathy), very poor health, a high fever, a severe infection, severe diarrhea, or high blood acid levels, or have had a severe injury


• if you have a history of certain hormonal problems (eg, adrenal or pituitary problems, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone [SIADH]), low blood sodium levels, anemia, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency


• if you will be having surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Glyburide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Bosentan because liver problems may occur and the effectiveness of both medicines may be decreased


• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased. They may also hide certain signs of low blood sugar and make it more difficult to notice


• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, miconazole), chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, clofibrate, disopyramide, fenfluramine, fluoxetine, insulin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), phenylbutazone, probenecid, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), salicylates (eg, aspirin), or sulfonamides (eg, sulfamethoxazole) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased


• Calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), diazoxide, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), estrogens, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), isoniazid, niacin, phenothiazines (eg, promethazine), rifamycins (eg, rifampin), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), or thyroid supplements (eg, levothyroxine) because they may decrease Glyburide's effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar


• Gemfibrozil because blood sugar may be increased or decreased


• Cyclosporine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Glyburide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Glyburide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Glyburide:

Use Glyburide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Glyburide by mouth with food as directed by your doctor.


• If you are taking 1 dose daily, take Glyburide with breakfast or the first main meal of the day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• High amounts of dietary fiber may decrease Glyburide's effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar. If you have questions about fiber in your diet while you are taking Glyburide, talk with your doctor.


• Glyburide works best if it is taken at the same time each day.


• Continue to take Glyburide even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Glyburide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Glyburide.

Important safety information:

• Glyburide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Glyburide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while you use Glyburide. Alcohol may increase the risk of Glyburide's side effects. Also, alcohol may rarely interact with Glyburide and cause a serious reaction with symptoms such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or stomach pain. Talk with your doctor or health care provider before you drink alcohol while you use Glyburide.


• Carry an ID card at all times that says you have diabetes. Check your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor. If they are often higher or lower than they should be and you take Glyburide exactly as prescribed, tell your doctor.


• Proper diet, regular exercise, and regular blood sugar testing are important for best results with Glyburide. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.


• It may be harder to control your blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. Talk with your doctor about how to control your blood sugar if any of these occur. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.


• Glyburide may cause low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your heart beat faster; make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar. If this is not available, you should eat or drink a quick source of sugar like table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice, or non-diet soda. This will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Tell your doctor right away if this happens. To prevent low blood sugar, eat meals at the same time each day and do not skip meals.


• Risk of low blood sugar may be increased by severe or prolonged exercise, drinking alcohol, or skipping meals.


• Glyburide is a sulfonylurea. It may increase the risk of death from heart disease. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of this or other therapies to treat your condition.


• Glyburide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Glyburide. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Do not change from this type of glyburide (nonmicronized) to the micronized type without checking with your doctor. Their effectiveness may not be the same.


• Glyburide should not be used by itself to treat type 1 diabetes. If you have questions about using Glyburide to treat type 1 diabetes, talk with your doctor.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Glyburide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lab tests, including fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A_1c, may be performed while you use Glyburide. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Glyburide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sugar levels.


• Glyburide should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Glyburide while you are pregnant. If you take Glyburide during pregnancy, do not take it within 2 weeks of the expected delivery date without first checking with your doctor. It is not known if Glyburide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Glyburide.

When used for long periods of time, Glyburide may not work as well. If your blood sugar has been under control and then becomes hard to manage, contact your doctor. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.

Possible side effects of Glyburide:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Feeling of stomach fullness; heartburn; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing, joint or muscle pain, tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blisters on the skin; confusion; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular heartbeat; low blood sugar symptoms (eg, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, headache, lightheadedness, tremors, unusual sweating, weakness); severe or persistent blurred vision or other vision problems; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Glyburide side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coma; confusion; fainting; fast heartbeat; lethargy; lightheadedness; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness; tremor; unusual sweating.

Proper storage of Glyburide:

Store Glyburide at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Glyburide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Glyburide, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Glyburide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Glyburide. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Glyburide resources

• Glyburide Side Effects (in more detail)
• Glyburide Dosage
• Glyburide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Glyburide Drug Interactions
• Glyburide Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Glyburide - Add your own review/rating

• Glyburide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Glyburide Monograph (AHFS DI)


• DiaBeta Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Micronase Prescribing Information (FDA)


• glyburide Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• glyburide Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Glyburide with other medications

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