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Tolbutamide

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Description

Tolbutamide is an antidiabetic medicine used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat type 2 diabetes. Patients are advised to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen along with this medicine to get the best possible effect.

Uses of Tolbutamide

What is it prescribed for?

  • Type 2 diabetes

    This medicine reduces blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Tolbutamide

  • Hypoglycemiasevere
  • Dizzinesssevere
  • Headachesevere
  • Lightheadednesssevere
  • Lethargysevere
  • Dark colored urine
  • Decreased urine output
  • Muscle pain
  • Confusionrare
  • Swelling of face, ankles and handsrare
  • Indigestion
  • Scaly skinrare
  • Weight loss
  • Itching
  • Irregular heartbeatsevere
  • Nausea and Vomiting
SEVERE
Contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are experienced on a regular basis.
RARE
Observed in a small fraction of population.
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Please inform your doctor if you experience any adverse reaction to the medication.

Highlights

Commonly asked questions for Tolbutamide

Onset of action

The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is 1 hour.

Duration of effect

The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is 6 to 24 hours.

Safe with alcohol?

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Is it habit forming?

No habit forming tendency has been reported.

Usage in pregnancy?

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Usage while breast-feeding?

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, close monitoring of the infant for any undesired side effects is necessary.

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When not to use?

Contraindications of Tolbutamide

  • Allergy

    This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to tolbutamide.

  • Type I Diabetes mellitus

    This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis

    This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Dosage

  • Missed Dose

    If a dose of Tolbutamide is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

  • Overdose

    Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

  • Description

    - Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Instructions

    - Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

  • Miconazolemoderate
  • Beta blockersmoderate
  • Probenecidmoderate
  • Gatifloxacinsevere

Disease interactions

  • Cardiovascular disease

    severe
    This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular diseases since it may increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Close monitoring of heart function is recommended for such patients. An alternative treatment option should be considered based on the clinical condition.

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis

    severe
    This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. An alternative treatment option should be considered based on the clinical condition.

  • Renal Diseases

    severe
    This medicine should be used with caution in patients with renal diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

  • Hypoglycemia

    moderate
    This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients who are susceptible to hypoglycemia and patients on other anti-diabetic medications or beta-blockers due to the increased risk of very low blood sugars. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered for such patients.

  • Liver Disease

    severe
    This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Food interactions

  • Information not available.

Lab interactions

  • Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

Take Tolbutamide exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. You should always carry a sugar candy with you to overcome unexpected lowering of blood sugar levels.

Warnings

Warnings for special population

  • Pregnancy

    - This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.

  • Breast-feeding

    - This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, close monitoring of the infant for any undesired side effects is necessary.

General warnings

  • Hemolytic anemia

    - This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency due to the increased risk of hemolytic anemia. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered based on the clinical condition of the patient.

  • Hyponatremia

    - This medicine may cause hyponatremia in patients who are on other medicines or have medical conditions known to cause hyponatremia. Close monitoring of blood sodium levels is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Other details

  • To be taken with food
  • To be taken as instructed by doctor
  • May cause sleepiness

How it works

Tolbutamide works by increasing the levels of insulin. This, in turn, lowers the blood glucose levels.

Legal Status

Approved
Unknown
Approved
Approved

Classification

Category
Sulfonylureas
Schedule
N/A

References

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Information on this page was last updated on 4 Sep 2017

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Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.