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Tolbutamide

Information about Tolbutamide

Tolbutamide uses

Tolbutamide is used in adults to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) which cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone.
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How tolbutamide works

Tolbutamide is an antidiabetic medication. It works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas in order to lower blood glucose.

Common side effects of tolbutamide

Nausea, Jaundice, Severe hypoglycemia, Adrenal insufficiency, Stomach fullness, Heartburm, Allergic skin condition, Porphyria cutanea tarda, Photosensitivity, Decreased white blood cell count (lymphocytes), Agranulocytosis (deficiency of granulocytes in the blood), Low blood platelets, Hemolytic anemia, Aplastic anemia, Hepatic porphyria, Disulfiram-alcohol reaction, Reduced radioactive iodine uptake

Available Medicine for Tolbutamide

  • Told
    ₹20
    Lotus Life Sciences
    1 variant(s)

Expert advice for Tolbutamide

  • Take it shortly before or with the first main meal of the day (usually breakfast). Avoid skipping meals.
  • Be careful while driving or operating machinery until you know how Tolbutamide affects you.
  • It can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) when used with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol or if you delay or miss a meal.
  • Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you in case you experience hypoglycemic symptoms such as cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor and anxiety.
  • Your doctor may check your liver function regularly. Inform your doctor if you develop symptoms, such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice).

Frequently asked questions for Tolbutamide

Tolbutamide

Q. Is Tolbutamide safe for kidneys?
Tolbutamide does not affect kidneys in patients with normal kidney function. However, its use should be avoided in patients with severe kidney disease since Tolbutamide is principally eliminated by the kidneys.
Q. Who should not take Tolbutamide?
Tolbutamide should be avoided by patients who are allergic to it, have severe kidney or liver disease, have G6PD-deficiency (an inherited condition affecting red blood cells), or are due to have surgery. Along with that, patients who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding, or have insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes mellitus) should also avoid taking Tolbutamide.
Q. How long does it take for Tolbutamide to start working?
Tolbutamide takes about 2 to 3 hours to reduce blood sugar levels. You may not feel any difference, but this does not mean it is not working. So, continue the medication as directed by your doctor and if you have any concerns, discuss it with your doctor.
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Q. Why should Tolbutamide be cautiously used in elderly patients?
Tolbutamide should be used with extra caution in elderly patients because they are at high risk of getting low blood sugar (hypoglycemic event).
Q. Is Tolbutamide useful in the management for prediabetes?
The Tolbutamide is not used for the management of prediabetes, a condition with blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to label you as diabetic. There are clinical studies available, but the evidence is not strong enough for its use in prediabetes.
Q. How is Tolbutamide different from teneligliptin?
Both Tolbutamide and teneligliptin are antidiabetic medicines and control blood sugar levels effectively. However, they work in different ways and have a different mechanism of action and side effects. Tolbutamide commonly causes hypoglycemia and weight gain while teneligliptin causes headache and nasopharyngitis. Teneligliptin causes hypoglycemia when used along with insulin or sulfonylureas and does not cause weight gain.
Q. Can I skip Tolbutamide for a few days?
No, Tolbutamide should not be skipped, as it can make your diabetes worse. If you miss the dose by mistake, take it as soon as you remember.
Q. Can I take Tolbutamide if I have a sulfa allergy?
Use of Tolbutamide should be avoided if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sulfonylureas or sulfonamides or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
Q. Does Tolbutamide cause weight gain?
Yes, Tolbutamide can cause weight gain. It is advisable to closely monitor your diet and do regular exercise while taking this medicine. Avoid skipping your meals as it can cause very low blood sugar levels and you may end up snacking or taking a lot of sugars.
Q. Is there any benefit of taking Tolbutamide with insulin?
Tolbutamide, when used with insulin, can help to control high blood sugar levels. Taking them together can help to lower the dose of insulin but there could also be an increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Dose of these medicines may need to be adjusted along with regular blood sugar level monitoring. Please consult your doctor if you have any doubts and follow your doctor's instructions carefully to get maximum benefit of Tolbutamide.
Q. Is Tolbutamide a Thiazolidinedione?
No, Tolbutamide is not a Thiazolidinedione, it is a sulfonylurea. However, both are antidiabetic medicines but belong to a different group of medicines.
Q. Is Tolbutamide useful in the management of gestational diabetes?
Tolbutamide is not advised to be used for the management of gestational diabetes. Use of Insulin is advised during pregnancy to control the blood glucose levels. However, do not start taking Tolbutamide without otherwise prescribed by the doctor.
Q. Does Tolbutamide cause hair loss?
No, hair loss is not seen with the use of Tolbutamide. However, diabetes itself can lead to hair loss. Talk to your doctor if you have excessive hair loss as it could be due to some other underlying condition or it could be a sign of your diabetes getting worsened.
Q. Is it safe to take Tolbutamide with pioglitazone?
Yes, it is safe to take Tolbutamide with Pioglitazone in patients with diabetes mellitus. Together they can control your blood sugar levels, lower plasma lipid levels and improve blood pressure. However, the risk of very low blood sugar levels can increase and the dose of these medicines may need to be adjusted.

Content on this page was last updated on 07 September, 2022, by Dr. Varun Gupta (MD Pharmacology)