Nursing Teaching on Side Effects of Glyburide Use

Nurse educated the patient and caregiver on the side effects of using Glyburide as follows:

  1. Hypoglycemia: Normally, in a healthy individual, insulin secretion from the pancreas is proportional to the glucose levels in the blood. In diabetics, this fine balance is no more in place. Use of Glyburide leads to increased secretion of insulin, irrespective to the blood sugar levels, thus putting the individual at risk for hypoglycemia. Patients can frequently present with dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, and hunger.
  2. Weight gain: Excessive eating contributes to weight gain in individuals using Glyburide. Also, insulin is an anabolic hormone and so, increased secretion of insulin from the pancreas, secondary to use of Glyburide, results in weight gain.
  1. Hyperglycemia: Glyburide loses the effectiveness over time and so, could lead to progressive decrease in insulin secretion. This can result in poor control of blood sugars with episodes of high blood sugar readings, thus necessitating an increase in the dose of Glyburide.
  2. Excessive hunger: The frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, secondary to use of Glyburide, result in increased appetite and hunger, leading to excessive eating.
  3. Photosensitivity: Glyburide has the risk of causing photosensitivity. Individuals can present with sunburns and rashes on the exposed body parts.
  4. GI disturbance: Patients taking Glyburide can frequently present with gastrointestinal disturbances, such as, nausea and vomiting.
  5. Hematological disturbances: Patients taking Glyburide can sometimes present with hematological disturbances, such as, agranulocytosis and hemolytic anemia.