What is Glyburide?
Glyburide is an oral prescription medicine that is taken by patients with type 2 diabetes. When you take this drug, it works by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. This medication is usually taken once together with the first meal of the day. However, patients who require a higher dose of glyburide are advised to take two doses daily. Inform your doctor in case your condition fails to improve or gets worse.
- Also read: Glyburide Vs Metformin
- Also read: Glimepiride Vs. Glyburide
What is Glipizide?
Glipizide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. When you take this medication, it works by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin helps glucose get into the body cells for energy. This helps to reduce high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The drug comes in regular and extended-release tablets. Regular tablets are usually taken half an hour before a meal. Glipizide extended-release tablets are supposed to be taken with breakfast. You should not break, crush, or chew an extended-release tablet. Instead, take it whole. The medication is part of a treatment program that also includes exercise, diet, weight control, and checking blood sugar levels.
- Also read: Glimepiride Vs. Glipizide
- Also read: Glipizide Vs. Januvia
Similarities and differences between Glyburide and Glipizide
Similarities
Glyburide and Glipizide are both sulfonylureas medications that are used to treat type 2 diabetes. You should not use these drugs to treat type 1 diabetes. Both medications are oral diabetes drugs that should be taken by orally as prescribed. These medicines are usually part of a treatment program that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. It is recommended you take both Glyburide or Glipizide 30 minutes before you eat. Taking them can result in low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include
- fast heart rate
- blurred vision
- headache
- dizziness
- confusion
- shakiness
- hunger
Differences
There is difference in the onset and period time between Glyburide and Glipizide. Onset refers to how fast it takes for a drug to start working in the body. Period is the amount of time it takes for the medication to continue to lower blood sugar levels. Glipizide has a shorter onset time of between 1 to 3 hours, and a period of 12 hours. On the other hand, Glyburide has a longer onset time and a period of up to 24 hours.
Doctor’s Recommendation
As mentioned in prior articles, consuming fewer carbohydrates or adopting a ketogenic diet will make it easier to more reliably titrate medicines at appropriate dosages because there will be less variation in daily carbohydrate intake between different days.
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.