$Unique_ID{BRK01814}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ACETOHEXAMIDE}
$Subject{Dymelor (Lilly)}
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$Log{
Dymelor*0181401.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ACETOHEXAMIDE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     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--just what you are trying to avoid.
     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 occurring 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.

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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.
