Glibenclamide
About
Glibenclamide belongs to the class of medicine called ‘oral hypoglycaemic’ used to treat type-2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic or lifelong condition affecting how your body processes glucose. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or if the insulin is produced, it cannot perform its function in the body (insulin resistance). Thus, the blood glucose level increases and symptoms such as frequent urination increased thirst and increased hunger.
Glibenclamide contains Glibenclamide, which acts by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. It stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas and decreases blood sugar levels. In a nutshell, it prevents blood glucose levels from rising to very high levels, thus keeping your diabetes under control. Glibenclamide shows optimum effects when taken along with healthy lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, a healthy diet, etc.
Glibenclamide should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach.Glibenclamide should be taken at the same time of the day each time for the best results. Your doctor will decide what dose should be taken for better advice, and it can change timely depending upon your condition. A common side effect of Glibenclamide is low blood glucose levels characterized by dizziness, sweating, palpitations, hunger pangs, dry mouth, skin, etc. To avoid hypoglycaemia, you should not miss meals and should carry some form of sugar along with you. Other side effects include taste change, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, and upper respiratory symptoms.
Glibenclamide should not be stopped even if you feel better without consulting your doctor as the sugar levels change. If you stop taking Glibenclamide abruptly, it may increase your sugar levels, which could further increase the risk of eyesight loss (retinopathy), kidney (nephropathy) and nerve damage (neuropathy). Glibenclamide should not be taken if you have severe kidney or liver disease, had diabetic coma. Please inform your doctor if you have had liver, kidney or heart disease, are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, breast-feeding, blood disease called G6PD-deficiency anaemia and heart disease. Mental alertness may be altered due to low or high blood sugar when Glibenclamide is not taken regularly, which may affect your ability to drive or to operate machinery.
Uses of Glibenclamide
Medicinal Benefits
Glibenclamide contains Glibenclamide a 'sulfonylurea' which decreases raised blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release from the beta cells located in the pancreas (insulin-secreting organ). In a nutshell, it prevents the blood glucose levels from rising to very high levels, thus keeping your diabetes under control. Glibenclamide shows optimum effects when taken along with healthy lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, healthy diet, etc.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Glibenclamide
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Feeling of fullness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Weight gain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Some diabetic patients taking Glibenclamide may develop a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. In this condition, there is too much lactic acid accumulated in the blood. So, your liver and kidney proper functioning is required to eliminate excess lactic acid from the blood. If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Glibenclamide or any ingredient of Glibenclamide, have severe liver or kidney problems, have severe thyroid or adrenal gland problems, have ever had a diabetic coma, Glibenclamide should not be taken. Consult your doctor and take only if prescribed under medical supervision. Glibenclamide shows optimum effects when taken along with healthy lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, healthy diet, etc.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Glibenclamide may interact with pain killers (aspirin, phenylbutazone), blood thinners (heparin), cholesterol-lowering agents (clofibrate), anti-depressants (nortriptyline), anti-hypertensives (captopril, enalapril), stomach ulcers medicines (cimetidine, ranitidine). So, tell your doctor if you are using these drugs before taking Glibenclamide.
Drug-Food Interactions: Taking Glibenclamide with alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Drug-Disease Interactions: Glibenclamide should be avoided in patients with severe liver or kidney problems, severe thyroid or adrenal gland problems, or whoever had a diabetic coma as it may worsen the condition.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeGlibenclamide should not be taken until prescribed if you are taking alcohol. Taking Glibenclamide with alcohol can cause hypoglycemia. So, keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionAs the data around the use of Glibenclamide in pregnant women is limited, the use of Glibenclamide in pregnancy is restricted. It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before taking this drug in case you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionTell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are taking Glibenclamide without advice from your doctor.
Driving
cautionGlibenclamide may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) whose symptoms include unusual sleepiness, shivering, palpitations, sweating, etc. This may affect your ability to drive. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration or mental alertness.
Liver
cautionGlibenclamide to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor, depending on your liver function tests.
Kidney
unsafeGlibenclamide is unsafe, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions.
Children
unsafeGlibenclamide is not recommended for children below the age of 18 years. The safety and effectiveness of Glibenclamide have not been established in children due to limited evidence. So, only take Glibenclamide if the doctor has prescribed you.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Fill your half plate with starchy veggies, a quarter with proteins and a quarter with whole grain.
- Eat at regular intervals. Do not take a long gap between a meal or snack.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are a lot of fluctuations.
- Invest at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replace refined carbohydrates containing whole-grain foods and increase intake of fruits and veggies and other fiber-enriched foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega 3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. You may use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil and safflower oil for frying.
- Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You may adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or meditation to control stress-related blood sugar changes.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, and cheese, etc.).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (120/80) as possible as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise regular liver function tests to look for symptoms of any liver problems.
- Inform your doctor about the use of Glibenclamide before any surgery, and the doctor may advise insulin before surgery.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes Mellitus type 2: It is a condition in which either the body stops producing enough insulin (the hormone which helps to decrease sugar levels in the blood) or resistance to insulin action. As a result, excessive insulin is produced. Still, it fails to act on the organs of the body. Type 2 diabetes symptoms include feeling exhausted all time, feeling thirsty, having blurry vision, and the urge to urinate (pee) more often. Complications of type 2 diabetes include skin infection, eye problems (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), diabetic foot (foot ulcer), kidney disease (nephropathy), high blood pressure and even stroke. Both low and high blood sugar levels can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible. Your HbA1c below 5.7% is normal, 5.7-6.4% confirms the prediabetes stage and 6.5% or greater states diabetes condition.
FAQs
Glibenclamide contains Glibenclamide, which increases the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. It stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas and decreases blood sugar levels. In a nutshell, it prevents blood glucose levels from rising to very high levels, thus keeping your diabetes under control.
Glibenclamide should be avoided in patients who are allergic to any of this medicine's components or excipients. It should be avoided in patients suffering from moderate to severe kidney disease and in patients with underlying metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis.
Yes, Glibenclamide can cause constipation. Eat a proper well-balanced diet and drink plenty of fluid to avoid it.
Yes, Glibenclamide is known to cause an upset stomach if taken empty stomach. So, it should be preferably taken with a meal or just after a meal to avoid an upset stomach.
No, Glibenclamide is only prescribed for the treatment for the type 2 diabetes along with a healthy diet and lifestyle. It should not be taken for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels. The symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include sweating, feeling shaky or anxious, looking pale, feeling hungry, feeling dizzy, and feeling that your heart is pounding (palpitations). Glibenclamide can cause hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur if you miss or delay your food, drink alcohol, over-exercise or take other antidiabetic medicine along with Glibenclamide. People with diabetes are advised to keep a quick sugar source like glucose tablets, honey or fruit juice.
