What is Glucovance?
The combination of glyburide and metformin is called glucovance. Both glyburide (oral diabetes medicine) and metformin (oral blood sugar control medication) are oral medications that treat diabetes.When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, glucovance can help improve the control of blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes.Type 1 diabetes is not treated with glucose.
Warnings
If you are suffering from severe kidney problems, if your condition is aggravated by Bosentan and Tracleer, or if it's a result of metabolic acidosis, You must consult your doctor to get treatment.You may have to stop temporarily taking Glucovance if you are going to undergo an x-ray, CT scan, or any other type of test that uses a dye injected directly into your veins.Lactic acidosis is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs when lactic acids build up in the blood. If you experience unusual pain in your muscles, difficulty breathing, stomach discomfort, nausea, or feel cold or very tired, call an emergency doctor.
Before you take this drug
You shouldn't use Glucovance if:
- Severe kidney disease
- Diabetic ketoacidosis, or metabolic acidosis, Call your doctor to get treated.
- If you also use bosentan to treat hypertension and pulmonary arterial disease,
You may have to stop temporarily taking Glucovance if you are going to undergo an x-ray, CT scan, or any other type of test that uses a dye injected directly into your veins.
If you've ever:
- Kidney disease
- G6PD stands for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency;
- Liver disease
- Heart disease is a heart attack or stroke.
You can develop lactic acidosis. This is a buildup of dangerous lactic acids in your blood. You may have a higher risk if there are other conditions, such as a serious infection or chronic alcoholism. Consult your doctor to determine your level of risk.If you're pregnant, or if you get pregnant, follow your doctor’s advice about how to use this medication. It is important that you control diabetes during pregnancy. High blood sugar can cause problems for both mother and baby. You may have to temporarily stop using Glucovance just prior to your due date.Metformin can stimulate ovulation and increase unintended pregnancies in women who are not yet menopausal. Speak to your doctor about the risks.Breastfeeding is not recommended while you are taking Glucovance.
Similar/related drugs
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Victoza, and Tresiba
How to take Glucovance?
Conform with your prescription label's directions and read through any medication guides or instruction sheets provided with your medicine. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your medication. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. Take your medication exactly as prescribed.Glucovance can be taken with food.Take glucose with plenty of fluids.If you have a high fever, nausea, or diarrhoea, call your doctor. This can cause severe dehydration, which is dangerous when you take glucose.If you have hypoglycemia, then you may feel hungry, confused, irritable, or anxious. If you want to treat hypoglycemia quickly, consume or drink something that will provide sugar fast (fruit juices, candy bars, crackers, or raisins).If you suffer from severe hypoglycemia, your doctor might prescribe an injection kit. Make sure that your close family members or friends are familiar with how to administer this injection.Watch for other signs, such as an increase in thirst or increased urination.Stress can affect blood sugar levels. Other factors that may influence them include illness, surgery, or alcohol consumption. Consult your doctor before altering your medication or dose schedule.The glucovance treatment is part of an overall programme that may include diet, physical activity, weight management, testing for blood sugar, and medical attention. You should follow your doctor’s advice.You may be prescribed extra vitamin B12 by your doctor if you're taking metformin and glyburide. Only take the prescribed amount of Vitamin B12.Keep away from heat, moisture, and light.
Details on dosage
Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:
Glyburide and metformin are available in doses.
As Initial Treatment in Patients With Inadequate Control of Glycemic Levels on Diet and Exercise Alone
Start with a dose of 1.25-250mg orally, once per day.
Consider a dose range of 1,25 mg to 250 mg twice daily for those with a fasting blood sugar (FBG) greater than 200 mg/dL or a HbA1c higher than 9%.
Maintaining Dose: Add increments between 1.25 mg and 250 mg per day every two weeks until you reach the lowest effective dose for achieving a glycemic level of control.
Maximum Initial Dose: 10 mg–2000 mg per day
Patients with inadequate glycemic control on Glyburide or another sulfonylurea and/or Metformin
Initial dose: orally, 2.5 mg–500 mg or 5 mg–500 mg twice daily.
Maintaining Dose: Add 5 mg–500 mg to the minimum effective dosage to maintain blood sugar control.
Maximum Dose: 20 mg–2000 mg per day
Comments:
Give with meals. Do not use it as an initial treatment due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia. Initial doses are to be taken cautiously to prevent hypoglycemia due to Glyburide and to minimise gastrointestinal side-effects due to Metformin.
For patients switching from combination therapy to glyburide or equivalent sulfonylureas and metformin currently being used, the initial doses must not be higher than the current daily dose of both glyburide and metformin. The decision on the dose to use should be made based on clinical judgement.
Consider reducing the dosage of glyburide in hypoglycemic patients.
Monitor patients for symptoms and signs of hypoglycemia.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can use this product as an adjunct to exercise and diet to help improve their glycemic levels.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take more than one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An accidental overdose may result in severe hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis.
What should be avoided?
Lowers blood sugar while potentially increasing risk for lactic acidosis. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar levels and can increase the risk of lactic acidosis.Avoid taking colesevelam within 4 hours of glucovance.
Side effects of glucose
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to Glucovance, seek immediate medical attention: itching, difficulty breathing, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
If you experience:
- Heart problems: swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling of shortness of breath
- Extreme Hypoglycemia symptoms: extreme weakness, blurry vision, sweating profusely, difficulty speaking clearly and sweating profusely as well as sweaty palms; sweat tremors; stomach discomfort and confusion as well as seizure-like episodes are signs that severe Hypoglycemia exists.
- Lactic acidosis: unusual muscle pains, difficulty breathing, nausea, heart irregularity, dizziness, and feeling weak.
Common glucovance side effects include:
- Low blood sugar
- Nausea, diarrhoea, upset stomach,
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins (https://www.drugs.com/drugclass/vitamins.html), as well as herbal products. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines. This list does not include all interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking, as well as any new ones.
