Glyburide Side Effects

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Glyburide Side Effects
Although most people have no problems when taking glyburide, side effects are possible, such as stomach problems or allergic skin reactions. These side effects are usually minor and easily treated. However, some side effects of glyburide are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider, including chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of high or low blood sugar.

An Introduction to Glyburide Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with glyburide (DiaBeta®, Glynase®, or Micronase®). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with glyburide. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of glyburide side effects with you.)

Common Side Effects of Glyburide
Glyburide has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people being evaluated. In these studies, the side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occurred in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Based on these studies, common glyburide side effects include:

Stomach problems, such as nausea, heartburn, and a feeling of fullness in the throat or upper chest -- occurring in up to 1.8 percent of people
Allergic skin reactions, including rashes, itching, hives, or sensitivity to the sun -- in up to 1.5 percent.

In rare cases, some side effects can occur when taking glyburide with alcohol, including:

Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Sweating.

Rare Glyburide Side Effects
Rare glyburide side effects occur in 1 percent or fewer of people taking the medication. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to tell whether they are due to the medication or something else.

Some of these rare side effects include but are not limited to:

Anemia
Hepatitis
Low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia)
Blurred vision
Reaction with alcohol, causing stomach upset, vomiting, shakiness, sweating, and stomach cramps.

Oral diabetes drugs, including glyburide, may increase the risk of death due to heart or blood vessel problems when compared to diabetes treatment with diet or insulin. This warning is based on one research study that looked at a diabetes medication similar to glyburide. However, it is unclear at this time how serious this risk may be in people taking glyburide.

Glyburide Side Effects: Final Thoughts
You may experience some or none of the glyburide side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking the drug. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of glyburide, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.