Also indexed as: Diabeta, Glibenclamide, Glynase, Glynase
Prestab, Micronase, Pres Tab
Glyburide is a sulfonylurea drug used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2
(non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Maintaining
normal blood sugar levels helps reduce health problems associated with diabetes. People with
diabetes should consult with their doctor before starting or stopping any form of treatment
including drug therapy, herbal products, supplements, and others.
Consumption of a high-fiber diet and/or
supplementation with nutrients such as
chromium, biotin, vitamin E, and others or herbs such as gymnema will often improve blood-sugar control in
diabetics. In such cases, the amount of blood sugar-lowering drugs may need to be reduced in
order to avoid a hypoglycemic reaction. Anyone
taking medication for diabetes should consult the prescribing physician before making dietary
changes or taking nutrients or herbs that are designed to lower blood-sugar levels.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Aloe*
|
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
Ginkgo
|
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Biotin
Chromium
Gymnema
Vitamin E
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Supps
Chromium
Chromium supplements have been shown to improve blood sugar control in people with
diabetes.1 Consequently, supplementing with chromium could reduce blood sugar
levels in people with taking glyburide, potentially resulting in abnormally low blood sugar
levels (hypoglycemia). While chromium
supplementation may be beneficial for people with
diabetes, its use in combination with glyburide or with any other blood sugar-lowering
medication should be supervised by a doctor.
Interactions with Herbs
Aloe
(Aloe vera)
One single-blind study in Thailand reported that combining 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of aloe juice twice
daily with glyburide significantly improved blood sugar and lipid levels in people with diabetes, compared with placebo.2
Previously, glyburide by itself had not effectively controlled the diabetes in the people in
this study.
Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)
In a preliminary trial, administration of Ginkgo biloba extract (120 mg per day) for
three months to patients with type 2 diabetes
who were taking oral anti-diabetes medication resulted in a significant worsening of glucose
tolerance. Ginkgo did not impair glucose tolerance in individuals whose diabetes was
controlled by diet.3 Individuals taking oral anti-diabetes medication should
consult a doctor before taking Ginkgo biloba.
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Food
Glyburide may be taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal (GI) upset.4 Effective
treatment of type 2 diabetes with glyburide includes adherence to recommended dietary
guidelines.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption may interfere with blood-sugar control during glyburide
therapy.5 Alcohol may interact with glyburide, causing facial flushing, headache,
light-headedness, nausea, breathlessness, and other symptoms.6 People taking
glyburide should avoid alcohol.
References:1. Anderson RA, Cheng N, Bryden NA, Polansky MM, Cheng N, Chi J, et al.
Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals
with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes 1997;46:1786–91.
2. Bunyapraphatsara N, Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V,
Chokechaijaroenporn O. Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. II. Clinical
trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. Phytomed
1996;3:245–8.
3. Kudolo GB. The effect of 3-month ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract
(EGb 761) on pancreatic beta-cell function in response to glucose loading in individuals with
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Pharmacol 2001;41:600–11.
4. Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Antidiabetic Agents, Sulfonylureas. In
Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Jun
1992, 130m.
5. Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Antidiabetic Agents, Sulfonylureas. In
Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Jun
1992, 130m.
6. Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Antidiabetic Agents, Sulfonylureas. In
Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Jun
1992, 130m.