$Unique_ID{BRK03013} $Pretitle{} $Title{acetohexamide} $Subject{Dymelor Lilly Oral antidiabetic acetohexamide diabetes mellitus sugar diabetes adulthood non-insulin-dependent maturity-onset Type II insulin pancreas} $Volume{} $Log{ Dymelor*0301301.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. acetohexamide ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) acetohexamide (various manufacturers) Dymelor (Lilly) TYPE OF DRUG Oral antidiabetic INGREDIENT acetohexamide DOSAGE FORM Tablets (250 mg and 500 mg) STORAGE This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. USES Acetohexamide is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) that appears in adulthood and cannot be managed by control of diet alone. This type of diabetes is known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes (sometimes called maturity-onset or Type II diabetes). Acetohexamide lowers blood sugar by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas. TREATMENT In order for this medication to work correctly, it must be taken as directed by your doctor. It is best to take this medicine at the same time each day in order to maintain a constant blood sugar level. It is important, therefore, to try not to miss any doses of this medication. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. Tell your doctor if you feel any side effects from missing a dose of this drug. Diabetics who are taking oral antidiabetic medication may need to be switched to insulin if they develop diabetic coma, have a severe infection, are scheduled for major surgery, or become pregnant. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Diarrhea, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain or discomfort. These side effects usually disappear during treatment, as your body adjusts to the medication. Acetohexamide may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. It is, therefore, important to use caution during exposure to the sun. You may want to wear protective clothing and sunglasses. Use an effective sunscreen, and avoid exposure to sunlamps. Major. If any of the side effects you experience are persistent or particularly bothersome, it is important to notify your doctor. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about dark urine, fatigue, itching of the skin, light-colored stools, rash, sore throat and fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Acetohexamide interacts with a number of other types of medications: 1. When combined with acetohexamide, chloramphenicol, fenfluramine, guanethidine, insulin, miconazole, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, oxyphenbutazone, oxytetracycline, phenylbutazone, probenecid, aspirin or other salicylates, sulfinpyrazone, and sulfonamide antibiotics can lower blood sugar levels--sometimes to dangerously low levels. 2. When combined with acetohexamide, thyroid hormones, dextrothyroxine, epinephrine, phenytoin, thiazide diuretics (water pills), and cortisone-like medications (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone) can actually increase blood sugar levels. 3. Rifampin can decrease the blood concentrations of acetohexamide, which can lead to a decrease in its effectiveness. 4. Oral antidiabetic medications can increase the effects of warfarin, which can lead to bleeding complications. 5. Beta-blocking medications (such as acebutolol, atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, and timolol) combined with acetohexamide can result in either high or low blood sugar levels. Beta blockers can also mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, which can be dangerous. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * It is important to tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or to any other medications, particularly acetazolamide, sulfonamide antibiotics, diuretics (water pills), and other oral antidiabetics. * It is also important to tell your doctor if you now have or have ever had kidney disease, liver disease, severe infection, or thyroid disease. * Follow the special diet that your doctor gave you. This is an important part of controlling your blood sugar and is necessary in order for this medicine to work properly. * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication (unless otherwise directed by your doctor). Some patients who take this medicine suffer nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, pounding headache, sweating, and redness of the face and skin when they drink alcohol. Also, large amounts of alcohol can lower blood sugar to dangerously low levels. * Be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment. * Test for sugar in your urine as directed by your doctor. It is a convenient way to determine whether your diabetes is being controlled by this medicine. * Eat or drink something containing sugar right away if you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar (anxiety, chills, cold sweats, cool or pale skin, drowsiness, excessive hunger, headache, nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, unusual tiredness, weakness). It is important that your family and friends know how to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar and know what to do if they should observe any of these symptoms occuring in you. Even if the symptoms of low blood sugar are corrected by eating or drinking sugar, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible after experiencing them. The blood-sugar-lowering effects of this medicine can last for hours, and the symptoms of low blood sugar may return during this period. Good sources of sugar are orange juice, corn syrup, honey, sugar cubes, and ordinary table sugar. You are at greatest risk of developing low blood sugar if you skip or delay meals, if you exercise more than usual, if you cannot eat because you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, or if you drink large amounts of alcoholic beverages. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Studies in animals have shown that this type of medicine can cause birth defects. Studies have not been conducted in humans, however. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of acetohexamide may pass into your breast milk. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.