Health Centres - Daonil (glibenclamide)
How does it work?
Daonil tablets contain the active ingredient glibenclamide, which is a type of medicine called a sulphonylurea. (NB. Glibenclamide tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Glibenclamide is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) have a deficiency of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is the main hormone responsible for controlling sugar levels in the blood. It normally makes the cells of the body remove excess sugar from the blood. In type 2 diabetes insulin is produced inefficiently in response to surges of blood sugar, eg following a meal. The cells of the body also become resistant to the action of insulin that is produced, which means that blood sugar levels can become too high.
Glibenclamide works mainly by stimulating the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. These cells are called beta cells. Glibenclamide causes the beta cells to produce more insulin. This helps to decrease the amount of sugar in the blood of people with type 2 diabetes.
Glibenclamide is a first line option for treating type 2 diabetes in people who are not overweight, or who cannot take metformin. It is used when diet and exercise have failed to control blood sugar levels. It can also be used in combination with other antidiabetic medicines to provide better control of blood sugar.
The tablets should normally be taken with, or immediately after, breakfast or the first main meal.
What is it used for?
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Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, when diet has failed to fully control blood sugar.
Warning!
- Your doctor may want you to check your blood sugar level from time to time while you are taking this medicine. Make sure you discuss how to do this and how often with your GP, pharmacist or diabetes specialist.
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Low blood sugar can occasionally occur as a side effect of this medicine. For this reason, it is important that you are aware of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia (these may include cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes, headache or nausea) and what to do if you experience these symptoms. Discuss this with your GP, pharmacist or diabetes specialist.
- People who are taking antidiabetic tablets should only drink alcohol in moderation and accompanied by food. This is because alcohol can make your warning signs of low blood sugar less clear, and can cause delayed low blood sugar, even several hours after drinking.
- If you get an infection or are under particular stress you should let your doctor know, because when the body is put under stress this medicine may become less effective at controlling your blood sugar.
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