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Glibenclamide/Metformin (Glyburide-Metformin)

 

Glibenclamide/Metformin (generic Glucovance) Review

brand name: Glucophage
generic names: Metformin, Metformin hydrochloride

Why is Glucophage prescribed?

Glucophage is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin.

Glucophage is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone.

Standard Glucophage tablets are taken two or three times daily. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing.

Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture and light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Why is Metformin (Glucovance) hydrochloride prescribed?

Glucophage is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin.

Glucophage is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone.

Standard Glucophage tablets are taken two or three times daily. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing.

Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin.

Warning!

• The shells of Glucophage SR tablets may pass through your gut undigested and be visible in your faeces. This is normal.
  
  
• Consult your doctor about your diabetes treatment if you are due to have surgery under a general anaesthetic . In these situations blood sugar is normally controlled by insulin, so your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine 48 hours before surgery.
  
  
• Your doctor will ask you to stop taking this medicine temporarily if you are going to have a certain type of X-ray involving an injection of iodinated dye (contrast agent). Tell your doctor that you are taking Metformin (Glucovance) if you are due to have this type of X-ray. You should not start taking this medicine again until 48 hours after the X-ray, and only after your kidney function has been tested and found to be normal.
  
  
• Your kidney function should be monitored regularly while you are taking this medicine. Your doctor will usually want to check your kidney function once or twice a year, or more frequently if you are elderly or have any existing kidney problems.
  
  
• Metformin (Glucovance) can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, which is an excess of lactic acid in the blood. It is more likely to occur in people with decreased kidney function. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, particularly on an empty stomach or if you have liver problems, can also increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Your doctor will monitor you for this side effect, but symptoms that might indicate it's development include rapid and/or deep breathing and non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, sick or generally unwell, feeling weak, or unusual muscle pains or discomfort. You should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor if you experience any of these.
  
  
• When used on its own, Metformin does not cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) . However, you may get low blood sugar if you take Metformin in combination with other antidiabetic medicines. If this applies to you, you should make sure that you are aware of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia (these may include cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes, headache or nausea) and what to do if you experience these symptoms. Discuss this with your GP, pharmacist or diabetes specialist.
  
  
• Your doctor may want you to check your blood sugar level from time to time while you are taking this medicine. Make sure you discuss how to do this and how often with your GP, pharmacist or diabetes specialist.
  
  

Recommended dosage

Your doctor will tailor your dosage to your individual needs.

OLDER ADULTS

Older people and those who are malnourished or in a weakened state are generally given lower doses of Glucophage because their kidneys may be weaker, making side effects more likely.

An alternative starting dose is one 850-milligram tablet a day, taken with the morning meal. Your doctor may increase this by 850 milligrams at 14-day intervals, to a maximum of 2,550 milligrams a day.

CHILDREN

Glucophage

For children 10 to 16 years old, the usual starting dose is one 500-milligram tablet twice a day with meals. The dosage may be increased by 500 milligrams at weekly intervals up to a maximum of 2,000 milligrams daily. Glucophage has not been tested in children younger than 10.

Glucophage XR

The usual starting dose is one 500-milligram tablet once daily with the evening meal. Your doctor may increase your dose by 500 milligrams at weekly intervals, up to a maximum dosage of 2,000 milligrams a day. If a single 2,000-milligram dose fails to control your blood sugar, you may be asked to take 1,000-milligram doses twice a day. If you need more than 2,000 milligrams a day, the doctor will switch you to regular Glucophage.

Glucophage XR

This form of the drug has not been tested in children younger than 17.

The usual maintenance dose ranges from 1,500 to 2,550 milligrams daily. If you take more than 2,000 milligrams a day, your doctor may recommend that the medication be divided into three doses, taken with each meal.

ADULTS

Glucophage

The usual starting dose is one 500-milligram tablet twice a day, taken with morning and evening meals. Your doctor may increase your daily dose by 500 milligrams at weekly intervals, based on your response up to a total of 2,000 milligrams.

How should I take this medicine?

Take Metformin (Glucovance) tablets by mouth, with meals. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.