Publication Date: 12/3/2004
Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
I have been taking Amaryl [a sulfonylurea pill for diabetes] for about two years and also take Lantus each day. The doctor has now started me taking glyburide [another sulfonylurea] instead of the Amaryl. Should there be any new side effects? And why is this change being done?Answer
It doesn't make any medical sense to me to make such a switch, as both drugs are from the same class of medication, and would be very likely to have the same side effects.It does, however, make economic sense, as glyburide is available as a cheaper generic (and Amaryl isn't). I wonder if your insurance company has a new formulary, that restricts the use of sulfonylureas to the cheaper ones?
And I wonder why your doctor didn't explain the logic of the switch to you. It's your body, and you have every right to know why medications are prescribed or changed, and to know whether the side-effect profile has changed.
