Antidiabetic Agents, Sulfonylurea (Systemic)

Side Effects of This Medicine

The use of sulfonylurea antidiabetic agents has been reported, but not proven in all studies, to increase the risk of death from heart and blood vessel disease. Patients with diabetes are already more likely to have these problems if they do not control their blood sugar. Some sulfonylureas, such as glyburide and gliclazide, can have a positive effect on heart and blood vessel disease. It is important to know that problems can occur, but it is also not known if other sulfonylureas, particularly tolbutamide, help to cause these problems. It is known that if blood sugar is not controlled, such problems can occur.

Along with their needed effects, sulfonylureas may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Convulsions (seizures); unconsciousness

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Low blood sugar, including anxious feeling, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool pale skin, difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual weight gain

Less common

Peeling of skin; skin redness, itching, or rash

Rare

Chest pain; chills; coughing up blood; dark urine; fever; fluid-filled skin blisters; general feeling of illness; increased amounts of sputum (phlegm); increased sweating; light-colored stools; pale skin; sensitivity to the sun; shortness of breath; sore throat; thinning of the skin; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Changes in sense of taste; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; increased amount of urine or more frequent urination; heartburn; increased or decreased appetite; passing of gas; stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort; vomiting

Less common or rare

Difficulty in focusing the eyes; increased sensitivity of skin to sun

For patients taking chlorpropamide or tolbutamide:

• Rarely, some patients who take chlorpropamide may retain (keep) more body water than usual. This happens even less often with tolbutamide. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following signs occur:

Depression; swelling or puffiness of face, ankles, or hands

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.