Tolbutamide Description

Generic Name : TOLBUTAMIDE

Pronunciation : (tole byoo' ta mide)

Trade Name(s) : Rastinone

Why it is prescribed: Tolbutamide is used to treat type II i.e., noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, particularly in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet alone or who cannot tolerate insulin injections. Tolbutamide helps to lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin and helping the body use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of producing insulin for this medication to work. Tolbutamide is not used to treat type I i.e., insulin-dependent diabetes.

When it is to be taken: Tolbutamide usually is taken several times a day after meals. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective.

How it should be taken: Tolbutaide comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not take more of the drug than your doctor has prescribed.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to the drug can be evaluated. Your dose may need to be adjusted, especially during the first few weeks that you are taking tolbutamide.
2. Regular physical activity is important. Follow your doctor's advice on exercise.
3. Losing weight, stopping smoking, using proper personal hygiene, avoiding infection, taking medication to control high blood pressure, and avoiding emotional stress also are important in treating diabetes.
4. Contact your doctor for advice on how much alcohol is safe to drink. Alcoholic beverages can cause hypoglycemia, flushing, headache, or nausea. They also contain calories, which may make weight control difficult.
5. Before you start to take tolbutamide, ask your doctor what you should do if you forget to take a dose. Write these instructions down so that you can refer to them later.

Side Effects :
1. The symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar are headache, nausea, sweating, hunger, paleness, numb mouth, tingling fingers, tremors, blurred or double vision, chills, muscle weakness, fatigue, irritability, mental confusion, uncontrolled yawning, shallow breathing, palpitations, fast heartbeat. Drink fruit juice or eat something containing sugar and contact your doctor.
2. If you feel faint, instruct someone to take you to your doctor or to a hospital right away.
3. Nausea, feeling of fullness, heartburn, headache. Contact your doctor; your dose or dosage schedule may need to be changed.
4. Skin rash, itching, or redness; yellowing of skin or eyes; light-colored stools; dark urine; fatigue; unusual bleeding or bruising; fever' sore throat. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Tolbutamide may affect the way your body response to certain drugs. Before taking tolbutamide, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
2. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have liver, kidney, or thyroid disease. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor at once.
3. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take tolbutamide.
4. Tolbutamide makes some people more sensitive to sunlight than they normally are. Be careful about exposing yourself to sunlight or sunlamps.
5. Do not allow anyone else to take this medications

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.