DiaBeta vs Micronase: What’s the Difference?
Key takeaways:
DiaBeta and Micronase are FDA-approved medications that contain the active ingredient glyburide and treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. They belong to a class of medications called sulfonylureas.
DiaBeta and Micronase can cause several side effects. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), nausea, and heartburn are common examples.
DiaBeta and Micronase are both available as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Table of contents
If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you and your healthcare provider have a variety of treatment options to choose from. There are first-choice diabetes medications, like metformin, that are frequently prescribed, and others that are recommended more on a case-by-case basis.
DiaBeta and Micronase are two medications that can help you manage your blood glucose (sugar) levels in certain situations. They might be recommended as add-on options if your current treatment plan isn’t quite enough.
DiaBeta and Micronase have a lot in common. They share the same active ingredient: glyburide. These oral medications also come in the same doses. But a few differences may guide your healthcare provider to prescribe one for you over the other.
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What is DiaBeta?
DiaBeta (glyburide) is FDA-approved to manage blood glucose — along with diet and exercise — in adults with Type 2 diabetes. You can take it alone or with other diabetes medications to lower your blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C). The A1C is a lab test that measures your average blood glucose over the past 3 months.
DiaBeta is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. It’s an oral medication that comes in 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg tablets.
What is Micronase?
Like DiaBeta, Micronase (glyburide) is approved to manage blood glucose — along with diet and exercise — in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It can also be taken alone or along with other diabetes medications to lower your blood glucose and A1C.
However, brand-name Micronase is no longer available in the U.S. But generic versions of Micronase are still available. This oral medication also comes in 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg tablets.
How do DiaBeta and Micronase work for Type 2 diabetes?
DiaBeta and Micronase belong to a group of medications known as sulfonylureas. They work by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. This helps lower blood glucose levels.
DiaBeta and Micronase are classified as non-micronized forms of glyburide. This means they have larger particle sizes than the micronized form Glynase. And, because of this, they’re absorbed more slowly than Glynase.
Although Glynase is absorbed better by the body, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better option than DiaBeta and Micronase. In a study comparing Glynase to Micronase, both medications had similar effectiveness and side effects.
How does generic drug substitution work for DiaBeta and Micronase?
If you bring a prescription for DiaBeta or Micronase to your local pharmacy, you may be wondering what medication you’ll receive. The pharmacist will likely substitute the brand-name on your prescription for the lower-cost generic version of glyburide, depending on your state’s laws.
The FDA’s Orange Book often plays a key role in this. It includes a list of generic medications that are therapeutically equivalent to brand-name products. The Orange Book uses a code system to tell pharmacists when two products are equivalent to each other, and this helps them decide what generic versions of medications are substitutable.
For example, DiaBeta has been assigned the code “AB2.” Your pharmacist may substitute a DiaBeta prescription for a generic version of glyburide that shares the same code. Generic Micronase, which is the form still available in the U.S., has a code that is slightly different from DiaBeta’s. Since it has a different code, your pharmacist may not be able to substitute generic versions of Micronase for your DiaBeta prescription.
If your healthcare provider just writes “glyburide” on your prescription, any of the generic versions can be dispensed. However, it’s a good idea to stick to the same form of glyburide each time you fill the prescription, if possible.
What are the doses for DiaBeta and Micronase?
The recommended starting dosage for DiaBeta and Micronase is 2.5 mg or 5 mg (1 tablet) once daily in the morning. If you have a higher risk of experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), your healthcare provider may recommend a lower dosage of 1.25 mg once a day.
If you’re not seeing enough improvement to your blood glucose levels with the starting dosage, your healthcare provider may slowly raise your daily dose. The maximum recommended daily dose for both DiaBeta and Micronase is 20 mg. Taking it in divided doses (twice a day) is a good idea if you’re taking 10 mg or more on a daily basis.
Note:It’s important to take DiaBeta and Micronase with breakfast or your first main meal of the day. Taking it with food helps prevent hypoglycemia. Because of how these medications work, you shouldn’t take them on an empty stomach.
How effective are DiaBeta and Micronase for treating Type 2 diabetes?
DiaBeta and Micronase are relatively effective options for lowering A1C. One review of different studies found that sulfonylureas tend to lower A1C levels by about 1.25%.
The greatest benefits happen when DiaBeta or Micronase are combined with first-choice Type 2 diabetes treatments, like metformin. In a 16-week study that included about 500 people, taking DiaBeta alone lowered A1C levels by about 1.9%. But when taken with metformin, the combination lowered A1C levels by about 2.3%.
DiaBeta and Micronase aren’t right for everyone. In fact, they’re not recommended for adults ages 65 years and older. This is because they’re longer-acting sulfonylureas, which raise the risk of hypoglycemia in older adults and people with kidney problems. Glipizide, a shorter-acting sulfonylurea with a lower risk of hypoglycemia, is a better option for older adults.
What are the known side effects of DiaBeta and Micronase?
Like all medications, DiaBeta and Micronase can cause certain side effects you should be aware of. Common side effects include nausea, heartburn, and feeling full or bloated.
DiaBeta and Micronase can also cause some serious side effects, including hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia typically occurs when a person’s blood glucose drops below 70 mg/dL.
Because hypoglycemia can be a medical emergency if left untreated, it’s important to be able to recognize and respond to the common symptoms. These symptoms could be signs that you need to check your blood glucose:
Fast heartbeat
Shakiness
Anxiety
Dizziness
Hunger
Confusion
Sweating
If your glucose reading is too low, it’s best to follow the “15-15 rule” to treat it. Have 15 grams of carbohydrates, whether its glucose tablets, hard candies, juice, or another fast-acting sugar source. Then, check your blood glucose after 15 minutes. If your blood glucose is still lower than 70 mg/dL, have another serving of carbohydrates.
These steps should be repeated until your blood glucose level is 70 mg/dL or higher. But keep in mind that, if your blood glucose level drops below 55 mg/dL at any point, immediate medical care may be required.
DiaBeta and Micronase may also cause other serious side effects, like heart problems, bleeding, and allergic skin reactions. Reach out to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any side effects you’re concerned about.
What interactions do DiaBeta and Micronase have?
Certain medications interact with DiaBeta and Micronase. If this happens, it may cause new or worsening side effects. Or it can cause DiaBeta and Micronase to not work as well.
For instance, bosentan (Tracleer), which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, shouldn’t be taken with DiaBeta or Micronase. The combination can cause liver problems.
Certain medications can raise the risk of hypoglycemia when they’re taken with DiaBeta or Micronase, such as:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), like selegiline (Zelapar, Emsam)
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Alternatively, some medications can raise your blood glucose levels, which may cause DiaBeta and Micronase to not work as well. Corticosteroids like prednisone and water pills like hydrochlorothiazide are prime examples.
How to save on DiaBeta and Micronase
DiaBeta and Micronase are both available as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of these medications. The price of generic glyburide at certain pharmacies is as low as $16.67 with a free GoodRx discount.
Also, consider talking to your healthcare provider about the possibility of a 90-day supply of generic DiaBeta or Micronase. Not only can this save you trips to your pharmacy, but it can also save you money.
The bottom line
DiaBeta and Micronase, which contain the active ingredient glyburide, are generally effective and affordable medications for treating Type 2 diabetes. However, they have some side effects. Hypoglycemia, which causes symptoms like a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and confusion, is a frequent concern. Because of this, these medications may not be the best option for older adults and people with kidney problems.
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References
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
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ElSayed, N. A., et al. (2023). 13. Older adults: Standards of care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care.
Garber, A. J., et al. (2003). Efficacy of glyburide/metformin tablets compared with initial monotherapy in type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
GuidelineCentral. (2023). Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults.
Hardin, M. D., et al. (2022). Glyburide. StatPearls.
NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2021). Glyburide [package insert].
Sherifali, D., et al. (2010). The effect of oral antidiabetic agents on A1C levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Care.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
Wu, S., et al. (2022). Drug-drug interactions in the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. CHEST Journal.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. (2022). Glyburide [package insert].
