Glibenclamide or glyburide is a medication to control high blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.This drug is available in tablet form and should only be taken with a doctor's prescription.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body cannot use and store glucose (sugar) properly. As a result, glucose levels in the bloodstream increase. If left unchecked, high blood sugar levels can lead to dangerous complications.
Glibenclamide works by stimulating the body to produce more insulin than usual to bind glucose in the bloodstream. Glibenclamide is not intended for people with type 1 diabetes or those with complications of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Glibenclamide trademark: Daonil, Fimediab, Glibenclamide, Glidanil, Gluconic, Glucovance, Harmida, Hisacha, Latibet, Libronil, Prodiabet, Prodiamel, Renabetic, Trodeb
What is Glibenclamide?
| group | Antidiabetic sulfonylurea |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Glibenclamide for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether glibenclamide is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warnings Before Taking Glibenclamide:
Glibenclamide should not be used indiscriminately and must be used according to a doctor's prescription. Before taking glibenclamide, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Do not take glibenclamide if you are allergic to this drug.
- Be careful using glibenclamide if you are 60 years and over, because it is more at risk of developing hypoglycemia.
- Use glibenclamide with caution if you have kidney and liver disorders, G6PD deficiency, or porphyria.
- Tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking, including supplements and herbal remedies.
- Tell your doctor your medical history, especially liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, hormone disorders, electrolyte disorders, and nervous system disorders.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to have dental work or surgery.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while taking glibenclamide, because it can increase the risk of low blood sugar and cause nausea and vomiting.
- Glibenclamide may make you more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen when leaving the house.
- Consult your doctor first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Immediately see a doctor if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose occurs while using glibenclamide.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Glibenclamide
The initial dose of glibenclamide is 2.5–5 mg per day. The dose can be increased weekly to a maximum dose of 20 mg per day. For doses that are more than 10 mg per day, glibenclamide can be taken 2 times a day.
How to Take Glibenclamide Correctly
Always follow the instructions for use and the dosage given by the doctor. Don't forget to read the instructions for use on the packaging. If in doubt, consult your doctor again.
Glibenclamide should be taken with breakfast. To be more effective, take this drug at the same time every day.
If you forget to take glibenclamide in the morning, take this medication at your next meal. But if you forget until the next day, do not double the dose.
Take glibenclamide regularly according to the prescribed dose. Do not increase or decrease the dose. If you want to change the brand of glibenclamide, consult your doctor again. This is because the glibenclamide content in each brand may be different.
Consult your doctor first before starting to exercise, because exercise can affect blood sugar levels.
While taking glibenclamide, you are advised to check your blood sugar levels regularly. In addition to regularly consuming glibenclamide, it is advisable to eat nutritious foods to help control blood sugar levels.
Treatment for diabetes takes a lifetime. Therefore, check with your doctor regularly, follow the glibenclamide dosage given by your doctor, and do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor first.
Store glibenclamide at room temperature. Keep out of reach of children, away from heat and direct sunlight.
Glibenclamide Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the effects of interactions that may occur if you take glibenclamide together with other medicines:
- Increased levels of glibenclamide in the blood when taken with antifungals, such as miconazole and fluconazole
- Increased hypoglycemic effect of glibenclamide when taken with MAOIs, phenylbutazone, probenecid, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, or antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, sulfonamides, or tetracyclines
- Decreased effectiveness of glibenclamide in lowering blood sugar levels when used with rifampicin, barbiturates, corticosteroids, diuretics, birth control pills, or thyroid hormones
- Increased risk of liver damage if taken with bosentan
Side Effects and Dangers of Glibenclamide
A number of side effects that may arise from taking glibenclamide are:
- Weight gain
- Nauseous
- Burning sensation in chest
- Stomach feels full
Check with your doctor if the side effects mentioned above do not improve or get worse.
Immediately see a doctor if an allergic drug reaction occurs which is characterized by the appearance of a red, itchy rash on the skin, swelling of the lips and eyelids, and difficulty breathing, or more serious side effects, such as:
- Hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels that are too low), which is characterized by shaking, excessive hunger, dizziness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, faster heart rate
- Signs of infection, such as fever and sore throat
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (sclera) or jaundice
- Excessive tiredness or weakness
- Swelling in the hands or feet
Diabetics need to do regular control to find out their sugar levels and prevent hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels which are characterized by easy thirst, frequent urination, and rapid breathing. If this happens, your doctor may increase your dose of glibenclamide.