Glibenclamide

Hypoglycaemic excluding Insulin · Sulphonylurea

Indications

Maturity-onset diabetes.

Dosage

Adults: Initially 2.5 mg daily at breakfast, increasing if necessary by 2.5 mg daily at weekly intervals; max 15 mg daily; max single dose 10 mg. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Nausea and sensation of fullness are exceptional. Change in haematopoietic system are rare. Hypoglycaemia, GI upset, skin reactions. Rarely, hepatic function abnormalities, hepatic failure, hepatitis, jaundice, blood dyscrasias, transient visual disturbances.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Juvenile diabetes with ketosis, impairment of renal function, stress, diabetic coma, severe trauma, infections, surgery, impaired adrenocortical function, Porphyria. Precautions: Cross-sensitivity to sulfonamides and sulfonamide derivative. Mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment, obesity, GP6D deficiency. Elderly.

Interactions

Potentiation of hypoglycaemic effects with alcohol, beta-blockers, bezafibrate, biguanides, chloramphenicol, clofibrate, coumarin derivatives, MAOIs, NSAIDs, salicylates, tetracyclines, phenylbutazone, ACE inhibitors, disopyramide, azole antifungals, cimetidine, diuretics. Attenuation and aggravation of metabolic states by laxatives, corticosteroids, nicotinic acid, oestrogens, phenothiazine derivatives, saluretics, sympathomimetics, thyroid hormones.

Advice to Patient

Take 30 minutes before meals. Contact prescriber if there is persistent headache, nausea, signs of hypoglycaemia (palpitations, sweaty palms, lightheadedness), extended vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, flu-like symptoms, skin rash, easy bruising or bleeding. Avoid alcohol. Do not take any other medication within 2 hours of taking glibenclamide. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and eyewear, avoid direct sunlight to prevent photosensitivity.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset of action: 15-60 min. Duration: 24 hrs. Absorption: Within 1 hr. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: Variable among oral dosage forms. Half-life elimination: Glibenclamide: 10 hrs. May be prolonged with renal or hepatic impairment. Time to peak, serum: Adults: 2-4 hrs. Excretion: Faeces, urine.

Unlicensed Use

Children: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, maturity-onset diabetes: 12-18 yr, initially 2.5 mg daily with or immediately after breakfast, adjusted according to response, max 15 mg daily.

Brands with this active ingredient

• Benclamet
• Benclamide
• Benil
• Daonil
• Desugar
• Diabeta
• Diabinil
• Euglucon
• Glabinol
• Gliben
• Gliberox-M
• Glicam
• Glick
• Glicon
• Glifen

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.