Tolbutamide: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Tolbutamide?

What is tolbutamide for?

Tolbutamide is a drug used with a diet and exercise suitable for controlling high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It can also be used with other diabetes medicines. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and problems with sexual function. Proper diabetes control can also reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Tolbutamide belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. These drugs work by causing the body's natural release of insulin and can help restore the body's appropriate response to insulin.

How do I use tolbutamide?

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the morning. The daily dose can also be divided into several smaller doses taken several times a day, especially if this medicine can make your stomach upset. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Dosage depends on your health condition and response to treatment.

To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may refer you to starting treatment at a low dose and then increasing it gradually. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

If you are already taking other anti-diabetic drugs (such as chlorpropamide), follow your doctor's instructions for stopping the old drug and starting tolbutamide.

Use this remedy regularly to get the desired results. To help you remember use it at the same time each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if your condition gets worse (your blood sugar is too high or too low).

How is tolbutamide stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Tolbutamide dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of tolbutamide for adults?

Initial dose: 1 to 2 grams orally a day

Maintenance dose: 0.25 to 3 grams orally a day

What is the dose of tolbutamide for children?

The dosage for children (less than 18 years of age) has not been established. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is tolbutamide available?

500 mg tablet

Tolbutamide side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to tolbutamide?

This medicine may cause changes in blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you experience them. Tolbutamide can cause side effects. Tell your doctor if these symptoms get worse or don't go away:

nausea
a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen
heartburn
rash
headache
changes in the sense of taste

Some of the side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

yellowing of eyes and skin
pale stool
dark colored urine
pain in the upper right abdomen
unusual bruising or bleeding
diarrhea
fever
sore throat

Tolbutamide can cause other side effects. Contact your doctor if you have unusual problems while using this medicine.

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tolbutamide Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using tolbutamide?

When deciding which drug to use, the risks and benefits of using the drug must be considered. This is a decision made by you and your doctor. The following should be considered for this drug:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic or unusual reaction when using this medicine or other medicines. Tell your health care provider if you have any other allergies such as food allergies, food coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read carefully the composition written on the packaging.

Children

Research related to the relationship of age to the effects of tolbutamide has not been conducted in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Elderly

No information is available on the relationship between age and the effects of tolbutamide in elderly patients. However, elderly patients are at a higher risk for heart, liver, or kidney problems due to advancing age which may require adjusting the dose of tolbutamide.

Is tolbutamide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = May be risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

Tolbutamide Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with tolbutamide?

Drug interactions can change how the drugs work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not include all drug interactions that can occur. Keep a list of the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's knowledge.

Use of this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If the two drugs are prescribed together, the doctor may change the dose or how often one or both drugs are used.

Acarbose
Balofloxacin
Besifloxacin
Ceritinib
Ciprofloxacin
Dabrafenib
Disopyramide
Dulaglutide
Enoxacin
Entacapone
Fleroxacin
Fluconazole
Flumequine
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Degludec Insulin
Levofloxacin
Lomefloxacin
Moxifloxacin
Nadifloxacin
Nitisinone
Norfloxacin
Ofloxacin
Pazufloxacin
Pefloxacin
Prulifloxacin
Rufloxacin
Sparfloxacin
Tosufloxacin

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may increase your risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, the doctor may change the dose or how often one or both drugs are used.

Acebutolol
Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Alprenolol
Amtolmetin Guacil
Aprepitant
Aspirin
Atenolol
Betaxolol
Bevantolol
Bisoprolol
Bitter Melon
Bromfenac
Bucindolol
Bufexamac
Carteolol
Carvedilol
Celecoxib
Celiprolol
Chloramphenicol
Choline Salicylate
Clonixin
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Diclofenac
Dicumarol
Dislunisal
Dilevalol
Dipyrone
Esmolol
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Felbinac
Fenoprofen
Fenugreek
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Floctafenine
Flufenamic Acid
Flurbiprofen
Fosaprepitant
Fosphenytoin
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucomannan
Guar Gum
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen Lysine
Indomethacin
Iproniazid
Isocarboxazid
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Ketorolac
Labetalol
Levobunolol
Linezolid
Lornoxicam
Loxoprofen
Lumiracoxib
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic Acid
Meloxicam
Mepindolol
Methylene Blue
Metipranolol
Metoprolol
Moclobemide
Morniflumate
Nabumetone
Nadolol
Naproxen
Nebivolol
Nepafenac
Nialamide
Niflumic Acid
Nimesulide
Oxaprozin
Oxprenolol
Oxyphenbutazone
Parecoxib
Penbutolol
Phenelzine
Phenylbutazone
Phenytoin
Piketoprofen
Pindolol
Piroxicam
Pranoprofen
Procarbazine
Proglumetacin
Propranolol
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Psyllium
Rasagiline
Rifapentine
Rofecoxib
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Selegiline
Sodium Salicylate
Sotalol
Sulfadiazine
Sulfamethoxazole
Sulfaphenazole
Sulindac
Talinolol
Tenoxicam
Tertatolol
Tiaprofenic Acid
Timolol
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Tranylcypromine
Trimethoprim
Valdecoxib
Voriconazole

Can food or alcohol interact with tolbutamide?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with tolbutamide?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

alcohol poisoning
underactive adrenal glands
an underactive pituitary gland
malnutrition
weak physical condition
other conditions that cause low blood sugar - patients with this condition have a higher chance of developing low blood sugar when taking tolbutamide
diabetic ketoacidosis (ketones in the blood)
type 1 diabetes — should not be used in people with this condition
fever
infection
operation
trauma — this condition can cause temporary problems with blood sugar control and your doctor may temporarily treat you with insulin.
heart disease - use with caution. Can make this condition worse
kidney disorders
liver problems - blood levels of this drug can increase, which can cause serious problems

Tolbutamide overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose can be in the form of hypoglycemia symptoms and the following:

seizures
lose consciousness

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.