GLIBENCLAMIDE oral

Therapeutic action

• Sulfonylurea antidiabetic  

Indications

• Second-line treatment of type 2 diabetes, in patients under 60 years:
  • as monotherapy, when metformin is not tolerated or contra-indicated
  • in combination with metformin, when glycaemic control is inadequate with metformin alone

Forms and strengths

• 5 mg scored tablet

Dosage and duration

• Adult:

Week 1: 2.5 mg once daily in the morning
Week 2: 5 mg once daily in the morning
Increase if necessary in increments of 2.5 mg weekly, according to blood glucose levels.
The usual dose is 5 mg 2 times daily (max. 15 mg daily).

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer in the event of:
  • allergy to sulfonamides;
  • type 1 diabetes, juvenile diabetes, ketoacidosis;
  • severe renal or hepatic impairment.
• May cause: hypoglycaemia, especially in patients over 60 years; gastrointestinal disturbances, weight gain; rarely, allergic reactions.
• Monitor combination with:
  • diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, azole antifungals (fluconazole, miconazole), ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, co-trimoxazole (enhanced hypoglycaemic effect);
  • rifampicin (decreased hypoglycaemic effect);
  • drugs increasing blood glucose levels: corticosteroids, hydrochlorothiazide, salbutamol, chlorpromazine.
• Avoid combination with alcohol (antabuse reaction and risk of hypoglycaemia).
• Pregnancy: avoid. Insulin is the drug of choice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in pregnant women (improved glycaemic control; reduced risk of foetal anomalies and neonatal complications).
• Breast-feeding: CONTRA-INDICATED

Remarks

• Take with meals.

• For doses greater than 5 mg/day, divide the daily dose into 2 doses.

Storage