Opinions differ about a safe and effective diabetes treatment for pregnant and nursing women. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to lower blood sugar, should you use insulin or an oral medication like glyburide? Gestational diabetes is the name given to the initial discovery of diabetes in a woman who is pregnant, which occurs in approximately 4% of pregnancies. Hormonal changes in the placenta cause insulin resistance, leading to potentially dangerous high blood glucose levels. Often there are no symptoms, and the condition will go away soon after delivery. However, if not properly managed, the baby may grow larger than normal, making for a difficult birth and putting the woman at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American, American Indian and Pacific Island women are at greater risk, as are women who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, are over 25 years old, or have high blood sugar. To manage blood glucose during the pregnancy, a healthy diet and exercise is very important. If additional help is needed, insulin is commonly used, as it is seen as the safest treatment, but some doctors may prescribe glyburide. Gestational diabetes is a special condition, as there is concern for the unborn child. Is glyburide safe to use?
Diabetes, Glyburide and Possible Side Effects
With glyburide and gestational diabetes, the drug works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Common side effects include low blood sugar, muscle and joint pain, allergic reactions, nausea, and heartburn. Blurred vision may also occur, due to blood sugar instability. In certain cases, there may be liver problems such as hepatitis and jaundice. While some doctors will maintain that glyburide is safe for pregnant women, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it specifically for gestational diabetes use, due to insufficient testing. The same is true for metformin, which is sometimes prescribed instead of glyburide. Gestational diabetes and the concern over the pregnancy and health of the developing fetus have generated a debate over what treatment is best. Although glyburide does not seem to cross the placenta (thereby entering the baby’s bloodstream), patients may still have concerns. Many doctors say that oral medications should be avoided altogether during pregnancy, due to their health risks, and that insulin should be used instead.
Glyburide For Diabetes: Are There Alternatives?
When considering glyburide and gestational diabetes, of utmost importance is that blood sugar levels must be lowered, for the health of the patient and their baby. The first choice of treatment should be diet and exercise, as healthy foods and physical activity will benefit the mother and baby in many ways. But if this does not prove to be enough to keep blood sugar well-balanced and in a healthy range, the patient must decide with their doctor if an oral medicine like glyburide is worth the possible health risks, or if insulin, even if it’s less convenient, is a better choice.
