Consumer Guide to Diabetes Products

Sulphonylureas

This medication stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.

These drugs can produce hypoglycaemia (abnormally low blood sugar levels).

Other side effects that may occur are development of skin allergies, tummy upsets, and increased sensitivity to light.

Rare but serious side effects include liver problems, fever or chills, and increased ease of bruising.

Pharmaceutical Name	Manufacturer's Name	Manufacturer/ Distributor	Presentation	Availability	Subsidy Level
Glibenclamide	Gliben1	Pacific Pharmaceuticals	2.5 mg tabs (White, flat round tablet marked "GE/2.5" on one side and "G" on the other) 5 mg tabs (White capsule shaped tablet marked with "GE/5" on one side and "G/G" on the other	Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once	Fully subsidised
Gliclazide	Apo-Gliclazide	Apotex NZ Ltd	80 mg tabs Blister packs of 30 and 90 tablets	Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once	Fully subsidised
Glipizide	Minidiab2	Pfizer	5 mg tablets Blister strips of white round convex scored tablets.	Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once	Fully subsidised
Tolbutamide	Diatol3	Pacific Pharmaceuticals	500 mg tabs White round tablets marked with “T” over "500" on one side	Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once	Fully subsidised

View information about other oral medications:

• Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors
• Biguanides
• Glitazones

Or return to Introduction & Contents page »

1. For detailed information follow the link to Medsafe Consumer Medicines Information, and enter "Gliben" in the search field.↩

2. For detailed information follow the link to Medsafe Consumer Medicines Information, and enter "Minidiab" in the search field.↩

3. For detailed information follow the link to Medsafe Consumer Medicines Information, and enter "Diatol" in the search field.↩