What is glyburide?
Glyburide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.
Glyburide is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Glyburide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about glyburide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to glyburide, if you are being treated with bosentan (Tracleer), if you have type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Before taking glyburide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, if you have been using insulin or chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or if you have hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells), an enzyme deficiency (G6PD), a nerve disorder, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking glyburide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to glyburide, or:
if you are being treated with bosentan (Tracleer);
if you have type 1 diabetes; or
if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
To make sure you can safely take glyburide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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;
if you are allergic to sulfa drugs; or
if you have been using insulin or taking chlorpropamide (Diabinese).
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 treating your diabetes with glyburide.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether glyburide will harm an unborn baby. Similar diabetes medications have caused severe hypoglycemia in newborn babies whose mothers had used the medication near the time of delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether glyburide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have low blood sugar while taking glyburide.