Glibenclamide

Glibenclamide is used in treating adult onset diabetes or type II diabetes. It is also available as a combination drug along with Metformin which is a biguanide oral hypoglycemic drug.

The indications for the use of Glibenclamide is its use as an adjunct to diet to lower the blood glucose in patients with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In these persons hyperglycemia is not controlled by diet alone.

There contraindications for the use of Glibenclamide too. They are when the person is suffering from Type I diabetes or Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, liver failure, kidney failure, impaired thyroid and adrenal functions, in stressful conditions like before surgery, gangrene, abscess, diabetic coma and pre-coma, metabolic decompensation like acidosis, pregnancy and during lactation.

The initial dose of Glibenclamide is 2.5 mg daily. After continuous or frequent monitoring of the patients’ response by frequently checking the blood sugar level, the dose of Glibenclamide should be gradually raised. It can be raised up to 15 mg daily i.e. as 5mg tablet thrice a day. But there is no use in further increasing the dose.

When a single drug like Glibenclamide is not adequate to control hyperglycemia, another oral hypoglycemic drug like biguanides can be given in combination with Glibenclamide. One of the well known and well tolerated combinations is the Glibenclamide Metformin combination. They are available as Glibenclamide 2.5mg or 5 mg and Metformin 500 mg combination tablets.

Glibenclamide is available as 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg tablets singly or as combination with Metformin.

It should be stored in dry, cool place away from the reach of children.