Tolbutamide is used to treat diabetes. This medicine helps treat your diabetes by keeping your blood sugar in control.
Tolbutamide is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Tolbutamide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine should be taken with meals. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Tolbutamide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have other type of diabetes such as type 1 diabetes as Tolbutamide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- kidney or liver disease
- heart disease
- condition known as G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cell)
- stress-related states such as fever, surgery, infection, trauma
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor may need to do blood tests to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
You may have been warned about hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. It is important to recognise the symptoms of hypoglycaemia and correct the low blood sugar level. If you don't, you may faint.
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Some of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, headache, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, problems speaking. These symptoms are your body's way of warning you that your blood sugar is dangerously low.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
You should take a drink or food containing sugar (e.g. fruit juice, soft drinks or sweets) at the first sign of hypoglycaemia. If your symptoms do not improve, get medical help. Keep some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you at all times.
This medicine may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting and rash.
Alert your doctor quickly if you experience rashes with skin peeling or blisters / rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for heart disease e.g. metoprolol, propranolol
- medicines for fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, miconazole
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. azapropazone, phenylbutazone
- medicines for bacterial infections e.g. chloramphenicol
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizure) e.g. phenytoin
- medicines for TB e.g. rifampicin, isoniazid
Inform your doctor if you are currently taking birth control pills as this can reduce the effectiveness of Tolbutamide. You should not stop or start any birth control pills without first informing your doctor. Ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control as an alternative while being treated with this medicine.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tolbutamide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.