Two medicines, side by side
Glyburide vs metformin
Glyburide and metformin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of glyburide since 1984 and of metformin since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.0643 per glyburide 5 mg tablet and $0.0145 per metformin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, glyburide is a sulfonylurea and metformin a biguanide.
Check it at the source: the glyburide FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 1, 2021); the metformin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 2026).
Highlights of the glyburide record
Glyburide (Diabeta) · label of July 1, 2021
Used for
From the label: indicationsGlyburide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 1, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0643 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the metformin record
Metformin (Glucophage) · label of September 3, 2026
WARNING: LACTIC ACIDOSIS Postmarketing cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis have resulted in death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. The onset of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal pain.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are biguanide indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 80 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0145 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 61
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Glyburide label of July 1, 2021, Metformin label of September 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do glyburide and metformin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, glyburide is a sulfonylurea and metformin a biguanide.
How each works, in its label's words: Glyburide, “of oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs.”; Metformin, “Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Glyburide, “The decrease of glyburide in the serum of normal healthy individuals is biphasic, the terminal half-life being about 10 …”; Metformin, “Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the …”
Only the metformin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: glyburide since 1995; metformin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Glyburide | Metformin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Sulfonylurea | Biguanide |
| How it works (label) | of oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs. In addition to its blood glucose lowering actions, Glyburide produces a mild diuresis by enhancement of renal free water clearance. | Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. |
| Half-life (label) | The decrease of glyburide in the serum of normal healthy individuals is biphasic, the terminal half-life being about 10 hours. | Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 1, 1984 | March 3, 1995 |
| First generic approved | August 29, 1995 | January 24, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 80 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0643 per tablet (Glyburide 5 mg tablet) | $0.0145 per tablet (Metformin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 61 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 24,067 | 410,076 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to glyburide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions