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What is Glucovance
 Glyburide
is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to
help control blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas
to release more insulin into the blood.
Metformin
is also used to regulate blood sugar levels. Metformin works
in three ways: first, it reduces the amount of glucose (sugar)
produced by your liver; second, it reduces the amount of glucose
absorbed from food through your stomach; and third, it makes
the insulin that your body produces work better to reduce
the amount of glucose already in your blood.
Glucovance
is used with diet and exercise to treat non-insulin-dependent
(type 2) diabetes.
Glucovance
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Glucovance
A small number of people who have taken metformin
have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis
that has been fatal in up to 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis
has occurred most often in people whose kidneys were not
working properly. Liver problems may also increase the risk
of developing lactic acidosis. Stop taking Glucovance and
call your doctor immediately if you experience a feeling
of general discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching
muscles; trouble breathing, unusual drowsiness, dizziness
or lightheadedness; unusual or unexplained stomach upset
(after the initial stomach upset that may occur at the start
of therapy with Glucovance); or the sudden development of
a slow or irregular heartbeat. These may be signs of lactic
acidosis.
Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking
Glucovance. Together, alcohol and Glucovance may increase
the risk of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia.
Know
the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
which include hunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness,
fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece
of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes
of low blood sugar.
What you should find out before taking
Glucovance
Do not take Glucovance without first talking to your
doctor if you
- are allergic to either glyburide
(Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase) or metformin (Glucophage);
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have congestive heart failure;
- have acute
or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis;
- have had a heart attack or a stroke;
- have
a serious infection, illness, or injury;
- need to
have surgery;
- need to have x-rays or other procedures
using injectable contrast agents;
- are dehydrated
due to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, heat stroke, decreased
fluid intake, or any other cause;
- drink alcohol;
or
- are 80 years of age or older and have not had
your kidney function tested.
You may not be able
to take Glucovance, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Glucovance is in the
FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely
to harm an unborn baby. Usually, your doctor will want to
prescribe insulin to control diabetes during pregnancy.
Do not take Glucovance without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant.
Glucovance passes into breast
milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Glucovance
without first talking to your doctor if you are breastfeeding
a baby.
If you are over the age of 65 years, there
may be an increase in the risk of developing lactic acidosis
due to a natural decline in kidney function with advancing
age. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose or special monitoring
during your treatment.
How should take Glucovance Take Glucovance exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Take Glucovance
with a meal to reduce nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach
that may occur with Glucovance therapy. These symptoms may
be more likely to occur during the first few weeks of therapy.
A decrease in vitamin B12 may also occur during therapy
with Glucovance. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood
levels of vitamin B12 and you may need to take B12 supplements.
A vitamin B12 deficiency may rarely cause anemia.
Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very
closely. Changing any of these things can effect your blood
sugar levels.
Know the signs and symptoms of low
blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include hunger, headache,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating,
tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose
tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar control
and other factors with regularly scheduled blood tests.
Store Glucovance at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Glucovance overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety,
cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and
coma. An overdose of Glucovance may also cause lactic acidosis.
Symptoms of lactic acidosis include a feeling of general
discomfort or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles;
trouble breathing; unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness;
unusual or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial
stomach upset that may occur at the start of therapy with
Glucovance); and the sudden development of a slow or irregular
heartbeat.
Avoid while taking Glucovance Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking Glucovance.
Together, alcohol and Glucovance may increase the risk of
lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia.
Follow your diet,
medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing
any of these things can effect your blood sugar levels.
Tell your doctor or other health care provider that
you are taking this medication if you need to have surgery
or x-ray procedures that require injection of contrast agents.
Treatment with Glucovance may need to be stopped for a short
period of time.
Tell your doctor that you are taking
Glucovance if you become ill, if you have a heart attack;
if you have a stroke; if you develop congestive heat failure;
if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or dehydration
from any cause; or if you decrease the amount of food or
liquid in your normal diet. You may need to stop your treatment
with Glucovance for a short amount of time until you are
feeling better.
Do not take any over-the-counter
cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight loss medications without
first talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Glucovance Stop taking Glucovance and seek emergency medical
attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives) to Glucovance.
A small
number of people who have taken metformin have developed
a serious condition called lactic acidosis that has been
fatal in up to 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis has occurred
most often in people whose kidneys were not working properly.
Liver problems may also increase the risk of developing
lactic acidosis. Stop taking Glucovance and call your doctor
immediately if you experience a feeling of general discomfort
or sickness; weakness; sore or aching muscles; trouble breathing,
unusual drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness; unusual
or unexplained stomach upset (after the initial stomach
upset that may occur at the start of therapy with Glucovance);
or the sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat.
These may be signs of lactic acidosis.
Other, less
serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Glucovance and talk to your doctor if you experience
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea at
the start of therapy;
- symptoms of hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar) including hunger, headache, drowsiness,
weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and
nausea; or
- headache.
Side effects other
than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Glucovance
Since
many medications can interact with Glucovance or affect your
blood sugar control, do not take any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines while taking Glucovance without
first talking to your doctor. |
