Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: glyburide
BRAND NAMES: Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase Prestab
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Glyburide is an oral glucose lowering-drug
in a class of diabetic drugs called sulfonylureas. Other sulfonylureas include
glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide,
and chlorpropamide
(Diabinese). Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. When
released into the blood, insulin reduces the formation of glucose by the liver
and causes cells in the body to remove sugar (glucose) from the blood. Patients
with type 2 diabetes have high glucose levels in their blood because the cells
in their bodies are resistant to the effect of insulin. Their liver produces too
much glucose. In addition, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to
overcome the insulin resistance of the body's cells. Glyburide reduces blood
glucose by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Glyburide is not a
cure for diabetes. The FDA approved glyburide in May 1984.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg. Tablets (micronized): 1.5, 3,
4.5, 6 mg.
STORAGE: Glyburide should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C
(59-86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Glyburide is used in combination with
diet and
exercise to reduce blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. It may be
used alone or combined with other medications for treating type 2 diabetes.
DOSING: The recommended starting dose is 2.5 to 5 mg daily of regular
tablets or 1.5-3 mg daily of micronized tablets. The maximum dose is 1.25 to 20
mg of regular tablets and 0.75 to 12 mg of micronized tablets. Glyburide usually
is administered with the first main meal of the day.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Bosentan (Tracleer) and glyburide should not be
used together because blood levels of both drugs decrease, potentially reducing
their effect, and there is an increase in liver toxicity. Bosentan may increase
the breakdown of glyburide in the liver.
There have been reports of changes in blood sugar (increase or decrease) in
patients treated with fluoroquinolone type antibiotics, for example,
levofloxacin (Levaquin) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and antidiabetic agents such
as glyburide.
Thiazide diuretics, for example, hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) increase
blood glucose levels, reducing the effect of glucose reducing medications such
as glyburide.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of glyburide in
pregnant
women. Prolonged and severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) has occurred in
infants whose mothers were receiving other sulfonylurea drugs.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether glyburide is excreted in
breast milk. Since many sulfonylureas are excreted in breast milk and
potentially may harm the infant, alternative diabetic therapies should be
considered or breast feeding should be discontinued.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects include nausea,
heartburn,
rashes,
low blood sugar, blurred vision and weight gain. Rare but serious side effects
include hepatitis, jaundice, and low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia).
Last Editorial Review: 2/17/2009
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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