Tolbutamide
Description
Tolbutamide is an oral anti-diabetic medicine that is used to lower your blood sugar level. It is used to manage Type II Diabetes (a condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar) in adults. It may also be used along with Insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels) or other medicines to achieve better control over your blood sugar levels. Tolbutamide works by increasing the insulin levels in your blood which lowers blood sugar levels.
Tolbutamide shows some common side effects like low blood sugar levels, nausea, headache, and dizziness. Consult with your doctor immediately if you experience sweating, dizziness, headache, and shaking, as they could indicate hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Carry a candy or a fast-acting source of glucose to prevent this. It is essential to not miss any meal as it could also lead to hypoglycemia.
Tolbutamide should be taken with food as prescribed by your doctor. Continue taking this medicine even if you feel better after some doses. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting with your doctor as your blood glucose level could rise which could worsen your condition. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of this medicine as it could lead to toxicity.
Tolbutamide is not used in people who have type 1 diabetes (a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin), or have severe liver or kidney problems. If you have any allergy to this medicine, ask for a substitute medicine.
Tolbutamide is not recommended in pregnancy and in breastfeeding mothers unless prescribed by your doctor. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you take as this medicine can interact with them and cause serious side effects. If you have any pre-existing liver, kidney, or heart problems, inform your doctor about them. Your doctor can adjust your dose to use this medicine safely.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Tolbutamide
- Hypoglycemia
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Lethargy
- Dark colored urine
- Decreased urine output
- Muscle pain
- Confusion
- Swelling of face, ankles and hands
- Indigestion
- Scaly skin
- Weight loss
- Itching
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and Vomiting
Uses of Tolbutamide
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Tolbutamide to show its action is 30 to 60 minutes.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Tolbutamide remains active in your body is 1-2 days.
- 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 for Tolbutamide.
- Usage in pregnancy?Tolbutamide is usually not advised during pregnancy since it might have significant side effects on your foetus. However, your doctor may recommend a safer alternative with the same therapeutic effect depending on your clinical situation.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Tolbutamide is passed into breastmilk; however, it is not known to cause any harm to the baby. If you are a nursing mother, it is advised to monitor your infant's blood sugar level while you are on treatment with this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Tolbutamide if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as a skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Type I Diabetes mellitus
Type I Diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. Tolbutamide may not be effective in controlling your blood sugar level if you have Type 1 Diabetes mellitus. Insulin injections are required to treat such conditions.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a diabetes complication that develops when your body produces large amounts of blood acids known as ketones. Tolbutamide is not recommended if you have diabetic ketoacidosis as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Tolbutamide is usually not advised during pregnancy since it might have significant side effects on your foetus. However, your doctor may recommend a safer alternative with the same therapeutic effect depending on your clinical situation.
Breast-feeding
Tolbutamide is passed into breastmilk; however, it is not known to cause any harm to the baby. If you are a nursing mother, it is advised to monitor your infant's blood sugar level while you are on treatment with this medicine.
General warnings
Haemolytic Anaemia/G6PD Deficiency
Tolbutamide is not recommended for use if you have a history of Haemolytic anaemia (a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made) or if you have G6PD deficiency (a genetic condition causing red blood cells to break down) as this medicine can cause low red blood cell count which will worsen your condition. Ask your doctor for dose adjustments or another suitable medicine if required.
Alcohol use
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while on treatment with Tolbutamide as it can increase your blood sugar levels.
Missed Dose
The missed dose of Tolbutamide can be taken as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose then the missed dose can be skipped. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
If you have consumed more than the prescribed amount of Tolbutamide then you may experience complications like dizziness, confusion, increased heartbeat, tremor, and sweating, etc. Consult your doctor immediately for further guidance.
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
Gatifloxacin
Fluconazole
Diclofenac
Disease interactions
Cardiovascular disease
Tolbutamide should be taken with extreme caution if you are having any cardiovascular diseases (conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels) due to the increased risk of developing heart failure. Your doctor may either adjust your dose or closely monitor your heart functions to use this medicine safely.
Kidney Disease
Tolbutamide should be used with caution if you have any medical condition affecting your kidneys as a damaged kidney will not eliminate the medicine completely. This increases the level of unused medicine in your body leading to serious side effects. You may require dose adjustments or another suitable medicine in such cases.
Hypoglycemia
Tolbutamide can cause moderate to severe lowering of blood sugar levels. The risks are even greater in the elderly, malnourished, and people with kidney and hormonal disorders. You should report any such incident to your doctor. Carry a reliable source of sugar like candy to counteract the effect of low blood sugar levels.
Liver Disease
Tolbutamide should be used with caution if you have liver problems as a damaged liver will not properly break down and absorb this medicine. This results in an increased level of the medicine in your body which could lead to toxicity. Your doctor can either suggest another medicine or adjust the dose to use this medicine safely.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Tolbutamide exactly as prescribed by your 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.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Tolbutamide works by increasing the secretion of insulin from your pancreas (an organ of the digestive system, which produces insulin and helps in the digestion of food) and also regulates the release of sugar from your liver.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Sulfonylureas
Schedule
N/A
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - TOLBUTAMIDE tablet. [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 November 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Tolbutamide: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 18 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Mar 2023
Disclaimer
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