Semi-daonil (discontinued in the UK - October 2007)

How does it work?

Semi-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?

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.

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. In these cases your doctor may need to temporarily replace your treatment with insulin. You should also consult your doctor about your diabetes treatment if you are due to have surgery under a general anaesthetic, or if you get pregnant. In these situations blood sugar is normally controlled by insulin.

This type of medicine can occasionally cause liver problems. For this reason, you should consult your doctor if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine, so that your liver can be checked: unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, darkened urine or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice).

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Not to be used in

Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes

Diabetic keto-acidosis

Diabetic coma or precoma

Severely decreased liver function

Severely decreased kidney function

Severe problems with the production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not normally be used during pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus is usually controlled using insulin during pregnancy, because this provides a more stable control of blood sugar. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine, or are planning a pregnancy, you should seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk. As this could cause low blood sugar in the nursing infant, this medicine should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)

Temporary visual disturbances at start of treatment

Weight gain

Allergic skin rashes

Disturbance in liver function

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

Cholestatic jaundice

Disturbances in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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