Compare glyburide vs. metformin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood sugar.
Diabeta (glyburide) is a good oral anti-diabetic medicine, but can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 110 reviewsforglyburide
Lowers blood sugar.
Glucophage (metformin) is the first choice medicine to control your blood sugar and lower the risk of death from diabetes, although a few people may not tolerate the stomach side effects.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 938 reviewsformetformin
Upsides
- Available as an oral tablet.
- Lowers your A1c (average blood sugar over time) up to 2%.
- Available in generic version.
- Available in single pill combination with other anti-diabetic medicines.
- Improves sugar control and lowers A1c levels as much as 2%.
- One of the few diabetes medicines that lowers the risk of death from diabetes-related complications.
- Doesn't cause weight gain.
- Rarely causes low blood sugar.
Downsides
- More likely to cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar than other types of oral anti-diabetics.
- You will have to check your blood sugar often when you first start taking it.
- Can cause weight gain (about 2 to 3 pounds).
- Not ideal for elderly or those with poor kidney function.
- May not work as well for those with severe diabetes and when pancreas cannot produce insulin.
- Often causes stomach upset, like diarrhea, nausea, gas, or stomach cramping.
- Usually not a good choice for people with kidney problems. Your doctor will tell you if Glucophage (metformin) is right for you to take.
- Excessive or chronic alcohol use can increase the risk of a dangerous side effect.
Used for
- Type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes prevention
- Diabetes from pregnancy
- Obesity with high insulin
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$21.83
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$12.75
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Reviews
110 reviews so far
45%
saidit'sworth it
34%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Diabeta (glyburide)?
Leave a review938 reviews so far
65%
saidit'sworth it
46%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Glucophage (metformin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
7possible side effects
- Diarrhea53%
- Nausea/vomiting26%
- Gas12%
- Weakness9%
- Indigestion7%
- Stomach pain6%
- Headache6%
Risks and risk factors
- Low blood sugar
- Over age 65
- Kidney problems
- Use of other blood sugar lowering medicines
- Alcohol
- Intense physical activity
- Severe allergic reactions
- History of sulfa allergies
- Excess lactic acid in the blood
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Congestive heart failure
- Using contrast dye for procedures
- Surgery
- Alcohol use
- Low vitamin B12 levels