Side Effects of Daonil

Daonil is a brand name of the drug known as glyburide in the United States and glibenclamide in most other countries. It is used to treat Type II diabetes. It stimulates the pancreas to release insulin and improves the body's use of insulin. It is also marketed as Euglocon and Semi-Daonil in the United Kingdom, and as Diabeta, Glynase and Micronase in the United States. It is combined with the drug metformin in the drug Glucovance.

Blood Sugar Problems

• The most common side effects of Daonil are hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and/or loss of control of blood sugar. Having any of these factors make it more likely that you will develop low blood sugar if you are using Daonil:

  Being over age 65
  Being undernourished
  Being generally weak and/or debilitated
  Drinking alcohol while using Daonil
  Having liver problems
  Having low adrenal-gland function
  Having low pituitary function
  Having weak kidney function
  Having exercised very strenously and/or for a long time
  Taking other drugs to control blood sugar while taking Daonil

  Having any of these factors make it more likely that you will lose control of your blood sugar while taking Daonil:
  Having experienced physically stressful events, including fever, infection, surgery, or trauma

Gastrointestinal and Urinary Problems

• According to Pfizer, which markets glyburide under the name Glynase, up to 1.8 percent of people using the drug in clinical testing experience minor stomach problems, such as nausea, heartburn, and a feeling of stomach fullness. The University of Maryland Medical Center also reports that patients experienced constipation, diarrhea, and/or loss of appetite.

  Rarely, serious liver problems have also been associated with this drug. Patients using it have been known to develop jaundice, hepatitis, and problems with liver-enzyme production.

Other Side Effects

• Skin Problems
  About 1.5 percent of people who used this drug in clinical testing experienced temporary allergic skin reactions, including rashes, hives, itching, and redness.

  Blood Problems
  Bone marrow suppression, with symptoms including anemia, low white-blood-cell counts, low platelet counts, and overall low-blood-cell counts have been associated with using this drug

  Low Sodium Levels
  Taking Daonil can cause hyponatremia (too little sodium in the blood).

  Central Nervous System Problems
  Some people experience headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision while using Daonil, though these changes may be due to shifting blood-sugar levels instead of to a direct action of the drug itself.

Drug Interactions

• If you are taking Daonil, tell your doctor about any other drug, over the counter medicine, herbs, or supplements you are taking. Taking some drugs when you are taking Daonil can make it work more strongly. These drugs include:

  Non-steriodal antinflammatory drugs, auch as ibuprofen
  Aspirin
  Sulfa-based antibiotics, and chloramphenicol
  Blood-thinners
  Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

  Taking some substances while taking Daonil can lower blood sugar and make it hard to control blood sugar. These substances include:
  Alcohol
  Antibiotics
  Diuretics (water pills)
  Nicotine
  Steroids
  Oral contraceptives
  Miconozole

  The University of Maryland Medical Center also advises caution when using garlic, the supplement chromium and the herb gymnema.

Allergic Reactions

• Aside from allergic skin reactions, people taking Daonil have reported developing muscle and joint pain and swelling of the limbs related to allergic reactions.

Warnings

• If you are using Daonil and experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor or another qualified medical professional right away:
  extreme thirst
  dry mouth
  weakness
  blurred vision
  extreme hunger
  frequent urination
  shortness of breath
  breath that smells fruity
  decreased consciousness
  upset stomach and vomiting