Tolbutamide



Apo-Tolbutamide®







Tolbutamide

(tole BYOO ta mide)

Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Tolbutamide®
Mexican Brand Names
Diaval®; Rastinon®
Pharmacologic Category
Antidiabetic Agent, Sulfonylurea
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to tolbutamide or any other part of this medicine.
  • 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, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have a sulfonamide (“sulfa”) allergy, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Acidic blood condition or type 1 diabetes.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to lower blood sugar in diabetic patients.
How does it work?
  • Tolbutamide increases insulin secretion from the pancreas and may make tissues more responsive to insulin.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with food.
  • Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose 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.
  • If you are 80 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could be more sensitive to low blood sugar.
  • Do not drive if blood sugar has been low. There is a greater risk of an accident.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugar.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Weight gain.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Have a yearly eye exam and visit to the foot doctor.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • 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, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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