Therapeutic Categories
Antidiabetic Agent (Sulfonylurea)
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is used to lower blood sugar in diabetic patients who have adult-onset diabetes.
How does it work?
Tolbutamide increases insulin secretion from the pancreas (organ that produces insulin) and may make tissues more sensitive to insulin. You get more control with less insulin.
How is it best taken?
Take in the morning with breakfast or as divided doses with meals.
Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
Reasons not to take this medicine
If you have an allergy to another sulfonylureas, tolbutamide, or any other part of the medicine.
If you have type 1 diabetes or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis.
If you are pregnant.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
Take a missed dose as soon as possible (within 2-3 hours).
If later than 2-3 hours, skip the missed one and return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
Wear disease medical alert identification for diabetes.
If you are 80 years of age or older, you may be more sensitive to low blood sugars.
Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugars.
Do not drive if blood sugar has been low. There is a greater risk of an accident.
Avoid alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about
- rash
- hives
- itching
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- cough
- swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat
- any other symptoms involved.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
Low blood sugar. This can cause anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating. Can be life-threatening if not treated with hard candies, liquid glucose, milk.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
What should I monitor?
Check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Call if glucose is less than 80 mg/dL or if greater than 250 mg/dL. Bring results to follow-up visits.
Watch for low blood sugar. This can cause anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating.
Watch for high blood sugar. Causes many trips to the bathroom, thirst, and weight loss.
Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
Have a yearly eye exam and visit to the foot doctor.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include
- wheezing
- tightness in the chest
- fever
- itching
- bad cough
- blue skin color
- fits
- swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include
- a fever greater than 99°F
- chills
- sore throat
- cough
- increased sputum or change in color
- painful urination
- mouth sores
- wound that will not heal
- anal itching or pain
Low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
Any rash.
How should I store this medicine?
Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
General Statements
Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
US Brand Names
Orinase®; Tol-Tab®
Foreign Brand Names
Apo-Tolbutamide® (Canada); Artosin (Mexico); Diaval (Mexico); Mobenol® (Canada); Novo-Butamide® (Canada); Rastinon (Mexico)
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