Tolbutamide is a first generation sulfonylurea used to help control blood sugar in people with [type 2 diabetes](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/diabetes-type-2). It works to lower your blood sugar by causing the pancreas to release insulin. And it's only taken if dietary changes aren't enough to control blood sugar levels.

Is tolbutamide still available?

No, tolbutamide has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. It's unclear exactly why this medication was discontinued. But the first generation sulfonylureas [fell out of favor](https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12933-017-0499-5) due to high risk of serious side effects. And tolbutamide has been shown to raise the risk of [death from heart problems](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=310.517).

What can I use instead of tolbutamide?

Tolbutamide has been discontinued, but there are a lot of other medications that can help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. [Second generation sulfonylureas](https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/oral-medication/what-are-my-options) like [glipizide](https://www.goodrx.com/glipizide/what-is) and [glyburide](https://www.goodrx.com/glyburide/what-is) work similarly to tolbutamide, so those might be good alternatives. But talk to your provider to find the best medication for you.

tolbutamide

Generic Orinase

Used for Diabetes Type 2

Basics FAQs Dosage Interactions Alternatives Latest news Prices Medicare

Tolbutamide is an oral medication that's used to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. It's generally aused when blood sugar can't be controlled by diet alone. Both brand and generic versions of this medication have been discontinued and are no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Lobello Pearson, PharmD

Daisy Chau, PharmD

Last reviewed on November 29, 2022

Basics FAQs Dosage Interactions Alternatives Latest news Prices Medicare

What is Tolbutamide?

What is Tolbutamide used for?

Type 2 Diabetes

Drug facts

Common BrandsOrinase(brand no longer available)

Drug ClassSulfonylurea

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityDiscontinued

Common questions about Tolbutamide

Tolbutamide is a first generation sulfonylurea used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It works to lower your blood sugar by causing the pancreas to release insulin. And it's only taken if dietary changes aren't enough to control blood sugar levels.

No, tolbutamide has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. It's unclear exactly why this medication was discontinued. But the first generation sulfonylureas fell out of favor due to high risk of serious side effects. And tolbutamide has been shown to raise the risk of death from heart problems.

Tolbutamide has been discontinued, but there are a lot of other medications that can help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Second generation sulfonylureas like glipizide and glyburide work similarly to tolbutamide, so those might be good alternatives. But talk to your provider to find the best medication for you.

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Tolbutamide dosage

Typical dosage for Tolbutamide

Interactions between Tolbutamide and other drugs

Tolbutamide may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Tolbutamide. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acarbose
Aspirin
Balofloxacin
Besifloxacin
Ceritinib
Chloroquine
Ciprofloxacin
Desmopressin
Disopyramide
Dulaglutide
Enoxacin
Entacapone
Fleroxacin
Flumequine
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Hydroxychloroquine
Lanreotide
Levofloxacin
Lixisenatide
Lomefloxacin
Moxifloxacin
Nadifloxacin
Nitisinone
Norfloxacin
Octreotide
Ofloxacin
Pasireotide
Pazufloxacin
Pefloxacin
Pioglitazone
Porfimer
Prulifloxacin
Rufloxacin
Sitagliptin
Sparfloxacin
Thioctic Acid
Tosufloxacin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.