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DiaBeta

Generic name: Glyburide
Brand names: Glynase, DiaBeta, Micronase

Why is DiaBeta prescribed?

DiaBeta is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, the kind that occurs when the body either does not make enough insulin or fails to use insulin properly. Insulin transfers sugar from the bloodstream to the body"s cells, where it is then used for energy.

There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes results from a complete shutdown of normal insulin production and usually requires insulin injections for life, while type 2 diabetes can usually be treated by dietary changes, exercise, and/or oral antidiabetic medications such as DiaBeta. This medication controls diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin and by helping insulin to work better. Type 2 diabetics may need insulin injections, sometimes only temporarily during stressful periods such as illness, or on a long-term basis if an oral antidiabetic medication fails to control blood sugar.

DiaBeta can be used alone or along with a drug called metformin (Glucophage) if diet plus either drug alone fails to control sugar levels.

Most important fact about DiaBeta

Always remember that DiaBeta is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications, such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that DiaBeta is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin.

How should you take DiaBeta?

In general, DiaBeta should be taken with breakfast or the first main meal of the day.

--If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

--Storage instructions...

Keep DiaBeta in the container it came in, tightly closed. Store it at room temperature.

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking DiaBeta.

Many side effects from DiaBeta are rare and seldom require discontinuation of the medication.

• More common side effects may include:
  Bloating, heartburn, nausea

DiaBeta, like all oral antidiabetics, may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) especially in elderly, weak, and undernourished people, and those with kidney, liver, adrenal, or pituitary gland problems. The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by missed meals, alcohol, other medications, fever, trauma, infection, surgery, or excessive exercise. To avoid hypoglycemia, you should closely follow the dietary and exercise plan suggested by your physician.

• Symptoms of mild hypoglycemia may include:
  Cold sweat, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, headache, nausea, nervousness

• Symptoms of more severe hypoglycemia may include:
  Coma, pale skin, seizures, shallow breathing

Eating sugar or a sugar-based product will often correct mild hypoglycemia.

Severe hypoglycemia should be considered a medical emergency, and prompt medical attention is essential.

Why should DiaBeta not be prescribed?

You should not take DiaBeta if you have had an allergic reaction to it or to similar drugs such as Glucotrol or Diabinese.

DiaBeta should not be taken if you are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin and marked by excessive thirst, nausea, fatigue, pain below the breastbone, and fruity breath).

Special warnings about DiaBeta

It"s possible that drugs such as DiaBeta may lead to more heart problems than diet treatment alone, or diet plus insulin. If you have a heart condition, you may want to discuss this with your doctor.

If you are taking DiaBeta, you should check your blood or urine periodically for abnormal sugar (glucose) levels.

It is important that you closely follow the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor.

The effectiveness of any oral antidiabetic, including DiaBeta, may decrease with time. This may occur either because of a diminished responsiveness to the medication or a worsening of the diabetes.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking DiaBeta

If DiaBeta is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining DiaBeta with the following:

Airway-opening drugs such as Proventil and Ventolin
Anabolic steroids such as testosterone and Danazol
Antacids such as Mylanta
Aspirin
Beta blockers such as the blood pressure medications Inderal and Tenormin
Blood thinners such as Coumadin
Calcium channel blockers such as the blood pressure medications Cardizem and Procardia
Certain antibiotics such as Cipro
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Major tranquilizers such as Stelazine and Mellaril
MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
Metformin (Glucophage)
Niacin (Niacor, Niaspan)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, and Voltaren
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Probenecid (Benemid)
Steroids such as prednisone
Sulfa drugs such as Bactrim or Septra
Thiazide diuretics such as the water pills Diuril and HydroDIURIL
Thyroid medications such as Synthroid

Be careful about drinking alcohol, since excessive alcohol consumption can cause low blood sugar.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of DiaBeta during pregnancy have not been adequately studied in humans. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the potential risk to the unborn baby. Since studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy, your physician may prescribe insulin injections during pregnancy.

While it is not known if DiaBeta appears in breast milk, other oral diabetes medications do. Therefore, women should discuss with their doctors whether to discontinue the medication or to stop breastfeeding. If the medication is discontinued, and if diet alone does not control glucose levels, then your doctor may consider insulin injections.

Recommended dosage

Your doctor will tailor your dosage to your individual needs.

ADULTS

Usually the doctor will prescribe an initial daily dose of 2.5 to 5 milligrams. Maintenance therapy usually ranges from 1.25 to 20 milligrams daily. Daily doses greater than 20 milligrams are not recommended. In most cases, DiaBeta is taken once a day; however, people taking more than 10 milligrams a day may respond better to twice-a-day dosing.

CHILDREN

The safety and effectiveness of DiaBeta have not been established in children.

OLDER ADULTS

Older, malnourished or debilitated individuals, or those with impaired kidney and liver function, usually receive lower initial and maintenance doses to minimize the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Overdosage

An overdose of DiaBeta can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

• Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include:
  Coma pale skin, seizure, shallow breathing

If you suspect a DiaBeta overdose, seek medical attention immediately.