Use
Tolbutamide, 1-butyl-3-(p-tolylsulfonyl)urea (Orinase), occurs as a white, crystalline powderthat is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol or aqueousalkali. It is stable in air.Tolbutamide is absorbed rapidly in responsive diabetic patients.The blood sugar level reaches a minimum after 5 to8 hours. It is oxidized rapidly in vivo to 1-butyl-3-(p-carboxyphenyl)sulfonylurea, which is inactive. The metabolite isfreely soluble at urinary pH; if the urine is strongly acidified,however, as in the use of sulfosalicylic acid as a protein precipitant,a white precipitate of the free acid may be formed.