General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Rastinone
Tolbutamide is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Tolbutamide is pronounced as: tole-BUE-ta-mide
Tolbutamide is oral anti diabetic medication belongs to sulfonylurea group of drugs.
Tolbutamide is used to treat type 2 diabetes (Non insulin dependent diabetes)
Take tolbutamide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor.
Do not stop taking this medication unless advised by your doctor.
Take the tolbutamide with food.
Always remember to inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking any OTC drugs or prescription drugs like
- Beta blockers like atenolol, propranolol
- Gemfibrozil
- Warfarin
- Any other sulfonylurea group of drugs
This may not be the complete list of drugs interact with repaglinide, ask your pharmacist if any other drugs interact with this medication.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following medical conditions as repaglinideshould be cautiously used.
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Heart problem
Do not take tolbutamide if you are
- Allergic to it
- Suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis
- Type 1 diabetes
Children: Tolbutamide should not be used in children
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Tolbutamide belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that tolbutamide may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether tolbutamide passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take tolbutamide with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other:
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking tolbutamide. Alcohol decreases blood sugar level and increases the risk hypoglycemia.
Tolbutamide is available in the form of tablet.
Use tolbutamide as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses of tolbutamide at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose of tolbutamide contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdosage symptoms for tolbutamide are
- Mild hypoglycemic symptoms like nausea, dizziness, rapid heart beat
- Severe hypoglycemic symptoms are coma and convulsions
The following are the common side effects for tolbutamide
- Nausea, headache, anxiety
- Weight gain
- Stomach full ness
If you experience any of the following side affects stop the tolbutamide medication and consult your doctor immediately
- Allergic reactions like difficult in breathing, chest congestion, swelling of the face, lips
- Severe hypoglycemic symptoms like severe dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, confusion, extreme hunger
Store tolbutamide at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Proper diet and regular exercise are important to keep control normal blood sugar levels.
- It is advised to have the blood or urine glucose test to monitor the drug therapy.
- Symptoms of low blood sugar levels are
- Nausea, extreme hunger, rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, restlessness, anxiety, blurred vision
- Convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma and low body temp.
- Symptoms of high blood suar levels are
- Excessive thirst, increased urination, increased hunger,
- Headache, confusion, blurred vision, weight loss, fatigue
- Viginal and skin infection, slow healing of sores, ulcers and cuts, Erectile dysfunction
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date: Apr7th,09