What is Glucovance 500 mg/2.5 mg?

Glucovance belongs to the class of drugs used in diabetes, initial sulfonylureas/biguanides.

Glucovance (metformin HCl and glyburide) contains 2 blood sugar-lowering drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes - metformin hydrochloride and glyburide. Glucovance 500 mg/2, 5 mg includes 500 mg of metformin hydrochloride and 2, 5 mg of glyburide.

Metformin hydrochloride is a blood sugar-lowering drug used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Glyburide, a class of sulfonylureas that has the property of lowering blood sugar levels

Glucovance: Dosage

The dosage of Glucovance is chosen individually, based on efficacy and effect for each patient individually, but should not exceed the maximum possible daily dose of 20 mg of glyburide/2000 mg of metformin.

Glucovance is taken with meals. Starting with a low dose and increasing it gradually to avoid blood sugar dropping too quickly (mainly due to glyburide), minimizing gastrointestinal side effects (mainly due to metformin), and allowing the productivity of the minimum dose to be assessed.

During initial use, when selecting the optimal dose, it is necessary to constantly measure blood sugar levels in order to find the minimum effective dose of Glucovance 2.50 mg. The dose is adjusted for each patient individually, depending on the body's response to the drug.

For patients with uncompensated sugar levels not achieved with a balanced diet and physical activity, the preferred starting dose of Glucovance is 1.25 mg/250 mg at breakfast.

Initially, when HbA1c> 9% or HbA> 200 mg/dL is observed, it is recommended to start with a dose of Glucovance 1.25 mg/250 mg 2 times, in the morning and in the evening with meals.

Glucovance 500 mg is taken by patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels against a background of taking sulfonylurea derivatives and/or metformin, and the starting dose of Glucovance may be 2.5 mg/500 mg or 5 mg/500 mg morning and evening, with meals.

Glucovance: Side effects

Glucovance tablets, like any other medicine, have side effects, which include:

• difficulty or rapid breathing;
• swelling of the larynx, face, lips, and tongue;
• quick fix;
• fatigue or weakness;
• visual and speech disorders;
• confusion, muscle pain, or seizures;
• stool disorder, nausea, gag reflex, drowsiness, headache;
• abnormal heart rhythm;
• drops in blood sugar levels.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the above symptoms.

Interactions

The action of the drug may be enhanced by Dicumarol and its derivatives, IMAO, sulfonamides, phenylbutazone, probenecid, phenyramidol, and salicylates, as well as oral miconazole, sulfinpyrazone, perhexiline and taking large amounts of alcohol.

Caution should also be exercised when concomitant administration of β-adrenoblockers. Metformin potentiates the effect of anticoagulants and fibrinolytic. Inhibits absorption of vit. B12. Because of its antiplatelet action, it may alter coagulation and bleeding time.

In general, patients receiving metformin may be found to have increased lactate levels. Corticosteroids, thyroid hormones, contraceptives, diuretics, and sympathomimetics may impair glucose tolerance and decrease the normoglycemic effect.

Beta-adrenoceptor blockers may also change blood glucose levels. Co-administration with cimetidine increases the risk of lactoacidosis.

Chloramphenicol, clofibrate, sulfonylurea derivatives, salicylates, insulin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, ketoconazole, and miconazole may increase the hypoglycemic effect of glibenclamide.

When used in combination with myelodepressants, the risk of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia increases.

Glibenclamide may cause increased activity of liver enzymes. In single cases, malabsorption of vitamin B12 may be observed, which may lead to megaloblastic anemia. Reduces triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL.

Metformin: may give false-positive results in diagnostic tests for ketones in the urine.

There may be more interactions since the drug contains 2 active ingredients, so taking this drug is indicated strictly according to a doctor's prescription and his recommendations.

Contraindications

• If there is a significant degree of sensitivity or the body does not perceive metformin hydrochloride or glyburide;
• Insulin-dependent diabetes; ketoacidosis; diabetic coma and precoma;
• Serum creatinine levels above 12 mg/L;
• Susceptibility to lactoacidosis;
• Severe changes in liver and kidney function;
• Serious cardiovascular disease;
• Alcoholism;
• Hypocaloric diet;
• Bleeding;
• Serious inflammations of tissues;
• The period after operations.

If pregnancy is established, the drug should be discontinued. During treatment with the drug, glucosuria and glycemia should be monitored. If any side effects occur, consult a physician immediately.