Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? Yes, for some.
- Drug class: Antidiabetic (oral), sulfonurea
Uses
- Treatment for diabetes in adults who can't control blood
sugar by diet, weight loss and exercise.
- Treatment for diabetes insipidus.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid
or food.
When to take:
At the same times each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Stimulates pancreas to produce more insulin. Insulin in blood
forces cells to use sugar in blood.
Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 4 hours. May require 2 weeks for maximum benefit.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Excessive hunger, nausea, anxiety, cool skin, cold sweats,
drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, weakness, unconsciousness, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
- Dizziness.
- Diarrhea, appetite loss, nausea, stomach pain, heartburn,
constipation.
Infrequent:
- Low blood sugar (hunger, anxiety, cold sweats, rapid pulse),
shortness of breath.
- Headache.
Rare:
Fatigue, itchy skin or rash, sore throat, fever, ringing in
ears, unusual bleeding or bruising, jaundice, edema, weakness,
confusion.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You are allergic to any sulfonurea.
- You have impaired kidney or liver function.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have a severe infection.
- If you have thyroid disease.
- If you take insulin.
- If you have heart disease.
Over age 60:
Dose usually smaller than for younger adults. Avoid episodes
of low blood sugar because repeated ones can damage brain
permanently.
Pregnancy:
Discuss any use of these drugs with your doctor.
Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May lower baby's blood sugar. Avoid.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or children.
Prolonged use:
- Adverse effects more likely.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check blood sugar,
complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet
count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), eyes.
Skin and sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected unless you develop hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar). If so, avoid driving or hazardous activity.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
- Don't exceed recommended dose. Hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) may occur, even with proper dose schedule. You must
balance medicine, diet and exercise.
- May affect results in some medical tests.
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you
take this medicine.
- Warning: A large study has shown that there is an increase
in death rate from heart disease among those who take oral
diabetic agents.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
