Glyburide is the generic version of the brand-name drugs DiaBeta and Micronase.
It's used along with diet and exercise to help control blood-sugar levels in people who have type 2 diabetes.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make or use the hormone insulin normally, so it can't control the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood.
Glyburide is in a class of drugs known as sulfonylureas, which stimulate the pancreas to produce the hormone insulin.
Insulin directs your body's cells to store excess sugar, lowering the levels that circulate in your blood.
Taking glyburide, along with adopting a healthy lifestyle, can decrease your risk of developing the serious or life-threatening complications of type 2 diabetes.
These may include cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and problems related to blood circulation; nerve damage; kidney disease; or eye conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved glyburide in 1984.
You shouldn't take glyburide if you have type 1 diabetes (the body doesn't produce any insulin) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous condition that can occur if high blood sugar is untreated).
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
Alert your physician if you've taken chlorpropamide (Diabenese), another sulfonylurea drug for diabetes, in the past two weeks.
You shouldn't take this medicine if you take bosentan (Tracleer), a drug used for high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension), because it may increase your risk of liver problems.
Before having surgery, including a dental procedure, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking glyburide.
Some diabetes drugs may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
However, blood sugars that are out of control can damage your heart, or other organs, too. Talk to your doctor about these risks.
Tell your physician if you experience an illness, fever, injury, or unusual stress while taking glyburide, because these can change your blood sugar and the dosage you need.
Glyburide may cause changes in your blood sugar.
You should know the symptoms of high (hyperglycemic) or low (hypoglycemic) blood-sugar episodes and be prepared to treat them.
Your doctor will probably want to check your glucose levels often while you are taking glyburide.
Keep all healthcare appointments, including the ones for tests at a lab.
This medicine helps control blood-sugar levels, but it doesn't cure diabetes. Don't stop taking glyburide without first talking to your doctor.
Always wear a diabetic ID bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in case of an emergency.
Glyburide is a pregnancy category C drug, which means harm to an unborn baby can't be ruled out.
Tell your physician if you are, or if you are planning, to become pregnant.
Your healthcare provider might want you to take insulin during pregnancy.
Don't breastfeed while using this drug.
It's not known whether glyburide passes into breast milk or could harm a breastfeeding baby.
Glyburide is sometimes used to treat women with a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (known as gestational diabetes).
However, some studies have found glyburide may not be as safe or as effective as injected insulin.
Other studies have shown women with gestational diabetes may need higher doses of glyburide.
Talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of using this medicine to treat gestational diabetes.
Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
If you have any of the following and can't reach your doctor, you may need emergency medical help:
Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially:
If you take colesevelam (Welchol), a drug for lowering "bad" (LDL) cholesterol, don't take it until four hours after you've taken glyburide.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking glyburide, as it can lower blood sugar and increase your risk of side effects.
Although rare, drinking alcoholic beverages while on glyburide can cause headache, flushing, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, weakness, blurred vision, sweating, choking, mental confusion, breathing difficulties, or anxiety.
Glyburide can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and tanning beds.
Also, wear protective clothing and sunscreen when you are outdoors.
This medicine may also make you drowsy or dizzy.
Don't drive or perform any activity that requires alertness until you're sure you can do so safely.
Glyburide comes as a tablet and is typically taken by mouth with breakfast or the first meal of the day.
This medicine is usually taken once a day. However, some people may take it twice a day.
Follow the directions carefully when taking glyburide. Don't take more or less of the drug than is prescribed.
Your doctor might start you on a low dose and gradually increase it if needed.
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or emergency room immediately.
You can reach a poison-control center at (800) 222-1222.
Ask your doctor what to do if you forget a dose of glyburide, and write down those instructions.
As a general rule, if you miss a dose, take it as soon as your remember.
However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular dosing schedule.
Don't take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
A: According to the literature available, it seems that glyburide helps stimulate the pancreas to release insulin in the body. This release of insulin is what helps to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels. For additional information regarding glyburide and diabetes you may want to visit our Web site: http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/glyburide and http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/index.aspx.
A: Glyburide begins working soon after it is taken. So, it 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. It is important to take glyburide regularly to get the most benefit. Consult your health care provider about your fasting readings and any necessary adjustments to your treatment. Do not change the amount of medication you take without talking to your health care provider first. You may also find helpful information at http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/glyburide and http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/index.aspx. Sarah, PharmD
A: There are no restrictions to any non-alcoholic beverages when taking Glucovance (metformin/glyburide). Glucovance has an unplesant taste and smell which can be masked by taking any non-alcoholic beverages. Clinical studies have shown that Glucovance taken together with alcohol may cause an increase risk for lactic acidosis and alcohol overdose. Lactic acidosis is a rare but fatal condition in which the body produces excess lactic acid. Symptoms of lactic acidosis are muscle pain, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, abdominal pain. If you notice these symptoms, contact your pharmacist or the prescriber immediately. For further information, please visit http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/glucovance. Lori Mendoza, PharmD Mendoza, PharmD
A: The generic name for Glynase is glyburide. Glynase is a sulfonylurea used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. For more specific information, consult with your pharmacist for guidance based on your specific condition and current medications. Regards, Shereen a. Gharbia, PharmD
A: Glyburide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of medications called sulfonylureas. It works by helping the pancreas produce insulin and make the cells more sensitive to insulin which helps bring blood sugar down and better controlled. The prescribing information on glyburide lists the following as common side effects of the medication: stomach upset, allergic reactions, nausea/vomiting, sweating, and blurred vision. Weight gain is not a common side effect of this medication. For more information on glyburide, click on this link: http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/glyburide For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Lori Poulin, PharmD
A: Glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase) is an oral medication used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. Some of the common side effects of glyburide are: mild nausea, diarrhea or constipation, heartburn, feeling full, joint or muscle pain, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, or mild itching or skin rash, hypoglycemia (symptoms of low blood sugar). Although weight gain or weight loss are not specifically listed as side effects of glyburide, the class of drugs that glyburide belongs to called sulfonylureas are reported to cause weight gain. This is not a complete list of the side effects associated with glyburide. For more specific information about how this medication might be affecting you, and to address your specific concerns about weight, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Tell your health care provider about any negative side effects from these medications. You can also report them to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088. Leslie Ako-Mbo, PharmD
A: Glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase) is an anti-diabetic drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in a class of medications known as sulfonylureas. For any immediate concerns, consult your physician. For more information regarding glyburide and diabetes: http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/search?browse_type=m&q=glyburide&src=ww_ctsearch http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/index.aspx Joseph Hall, RPh
A: Glyburide (brand name Diabeta) belongs to the group of drugs known as sulfonylureas. They have been used for many years in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and work to help the pancreas produce insulin more constantly. According to the package insert, at the beginning of therapy, the dosage is usually taken once daily in the morning with the first meal of the day. After that, however, the dosage must be individualized based on blood sugar levels and other medications. It is possible that glyburide could be taken as a once-daily or twice-daily medication. In the latter case, the drug could be taken in the morning and again in the evening with a meal. Michelle McDermott, PharmD
A: Glyburide belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes, either alone or in combination with other diabetes medications, such as metformin. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be a common side effect of glyburide. It's important to know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to treat them if they occur. Symptoms may include hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizures, fainting, and coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal). Always carry a quick source of sugar, such as regular candy, glucose tablets, fruit, or juice. Avoid cookies an chocolate which take longer to increase your blood glucose levels. Emergency kits are available by prescription for times when you may not be able to eat or drink. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing frequent or severe episodes of hypoglycemia since starting glyburide and do not change or stop taking your medication without the guidance of your doctor. Your doctor should properly evaluate your medical condition and medication doses and recommend appropriate changes in dose, if necessary. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or local pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Sarah Lewis, PharmD
A: Glyburide (Diabeta) is a sulfonylurea used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. All sulfonylurea drugs are capable of producing severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Proper patient selection, dosage, and instructions are important to avoid hypoglycemic episodes. Severe kidney or liver insufficiency may cause elevated blood levels of glyburide and the latter may also diminish gluconeogenic capacity, both of which increase the risk of serious, prolonged hypoglycemic reactions. It is essential to know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to recognize them if they occur: headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, hard candy, or milk. If you have been experiencing episodes of hypoglycemia, consult with your doctor immediately for proper evaluation, diagnosis of the underlying cause and proper treatment. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Shereen A. Gharbia, PharmD
A: Glyburide is a medication used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition when the body is not able to process the sugar in the blood, leading to high levels of glucose in the blood. It is not the same as type 1 diabetes where the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. People with type 2 diabetes may still be able to produce insulin, but sometimes not as well. Also their body may not use the insulin as efficiently. These high levels of glucose in the blood can lead to damage throughout the body. Glyburide belongs to a class of medications known as sulfonylureas. Glyburide works by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin and may also help the body use the insulin more efficiently. One of the most common adverse effects of glyburide is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include: hunger, dizziness, weakness, pale skin, headache, nervousness and irritability, change in mood, shakiness, and sweating. It is important to consult with your physician or healthcare provider regarding your blood sugar levels. Low blood sugars can be dangerous. It's often helpful to have the following information written down to show your healthcare provider: dietary consumption, physical activity, and blood sugar levels over a period of time along with any medications, vitamins, and supplements that are being taken. Kristen Dore, PharmD
A: Glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase) belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes, either alone or in combination with other diabetes medications. Common side effects of glyburide include nausea, heartburn, feeling full, and blurred vision. According to the prescribing information for glyburide, a very specific type of anemia, called hemolytic anemia, can occur in people with a very specific metabolic problem known as a G6PD deficiency. However, generalized anemia is not specifically listed as a possible side effect. Please consult with your doctor if you have been experiencing anything unusual or bothersome and suspect you have anemia. This is not a complete list of the side effects associated with glyburide. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or local pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Sarah Lewis, PharmD
By Lynn Marks | Medically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD
Latest Update: 2015-04-15