Glibenclamide is a type of medicine called a sulphonylurea. It is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) have a deficiency of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is the main hormone responsible for controlling sugar levels in the blood. It normally makes the cells of the body remove excess sugar from the blood. In type 2 diabetes insulin is produced inefficiently in response to surges of blood sugar, eg following a meal. The cells of the body also become resistant to the action of insulin that is produced, which means that blood sugar levels can become too high.
Mode of Action
Glibenclamide works mainly by stimulating the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. These cells are called beta cells. Glibenclamide causes the beta cells to produce more insulin. This helps to decrease the amount of sugar in the blood of people with type 2 diabetes.
Glibenclamide is a first line option for treating type 2 diabetes in people who are not overweight, or who cannot take metformin. It is used when diet and exercise have failed to control blood sugar levels. It can also be used in combination with other antidiabetic medicines to provide better control of blood sugar.
Glibenclamide Usage
Glibenclamide tablets should normally be taken with, or immediately after, breakfast or the first main meal.
Guidelines before Taking
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) can occasionally occur
as a side effect of this medicine. Cold sweats, cool
pale skin, tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion,
difficulty in concentration, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes,
headache or nausea.
People who are taking antidiabetic tablets should only drink
alcohol in moderation and accompanied by food. This is because alcohol can make
your warning signs of low blood sugar less clear, and can cause delayed low
blood sugar, even several hours after drinking.
This type of medicine can occasionally cause liver problems.
For this reason, you should consult your doctor if you develop any of the
following symptoms while taking this medicine, so that your liver can be
checked: unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of
appetite, darkened urine or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice).
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