Glucovance: function, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Glucovance?

What is the function of Glucovance?

Glucovance is an oral antidiabetic that contains two drugs, namely glibenclamide and metformin. Its use coupled with diet and regular physical exercise will be able to help better control blood sugar. Glucovance is an oral drug intended for the treatment of type two diabetes. This drug is not intended for patients with type one diabetes or diabetes ketoacidosis. The use of this drug can also be accompanied by the use of other diabetes drugs or as a single therapy.

Glibenclamide contained in Glucovance is a sulfonylurea group. This class of drugs works by increasing insulin production, especially after a meal and reducing sugar production by the liver. Meanwhile, metformin works by reducing the amount of sugar produced by the liver and absorbed by the intestines. They also improve your body's response to the natural insulin your body produces.

What are the rules for using Glucovance?

Read the instructions for use listed on the medicine packaging carefully. Take this medication at the same time as meals as instructed by your doctor. This medicine is usually taken once or twice a day. Make sure you consume plenty of fluids when taking this medicine unless your doctor instructs you to do so.

Your doctor may give you a low dose of Glucovance first and then increase it gradually until you find the right dose for you. Do not change the dose without consulting your doctor. The dosage given takes into account your health condition and your body's response to treatment.

If you are already taking other diabetes medications, let your doctor know and follow his directions in combining or stopping one of the medications. If you are taking colesevelam, take Glucovance at least four hours in advance.

Drink Glucovance regularly for maximum effect. To make it easier for you to remember, drink it at the same time every day. It takes two weeks for this drug to work optimally. Tell your doctor if nothing changes or your condition worsens.

What are the Glucovance deposit rules?

Store this medication at room temperature, below 30 degrees Celsius. Keep it away from direct light and damp rooms, such as bathrooms. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do not flush this medication in the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so. Throw this medicine out if it is past its expiration date or is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local disposal company.

Glucovance dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

Glucovance dosage for adult patients with type two diabetes

Dosage for patients who have not taken glibenclamide / metformin

• Initial dose: 1.25 mg / 250 mg, once a day
• Consider an initial dose of 1.25 mg / 250 mg twice daily for patients whose fasting blood sugar is greater than 200 mg / dL or whose HbA1C is greater than 9 percent.
• Maintenance dose: increase 1.25 mg / 250 mg per day every two weeks to the minimum effective dose to achieve ideal blood sugar control
• Maximum daily starting dose: 20 mg / 2,000 mg.

Dosage for patients on glibenclamide (or another sulfonylurea class) and / or metformin therapy

• Initial dose: 2.5 mg / 500 mg or 5 mg / 500 mg, twice daily
• Maintenance dose: increase dose not more than 5 mg / 500 mg until the minimum effective dose is reached for ideal blood sugar control
• Maximum daily dose: 20 mg / 2,000 mg per day

In what dosage and preparation is Glucovance available?

Tablet, Oral: 1.25 mg / 250 mg; 2.5 mg / 500 mg; 5 mg / 500 mg

Glucovance side effects

What side effects may occur due to consumption of Glucovance?

Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, or weight gain may occur as a result of consuming Glucovance. If the condition does not go away or gets worse, contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of pain in the stomach that appear after taking a number of doses in the early days of treatment can be a sign of lactic acid buildup.

Always remember that your doctor prescribes this medication because the benefits of improving blood sugar control outweigh any possible side effects. Some of the other side effects that may also occur are:

• Low blood sugar
• Headache
• Hard to breathe
• Symptoms of lactic acid buildup include muscle pain, numbness or cold feeling in the arms and legs, feeling tired without cause.

Not all of the side effects that have occurred have been mentioned above. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects.

Glucovance Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before taking Glucovance?

• Tell your doctor about any drug allergies you have, including allergies to glibenclamide and metformin or other drugs. Glucovance may contain other compounds that have the potential to cause allergies.
• Tell your doctor about any medical history you have including any diseases you have or have had, such as severe kidney disease, a deficiency in an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), liver disease, or heart disease.
• If you are going to have an X-ray or CT scan using a liquid that is injected into your vein (contrast), you may have to temporarily stop this medication.
• You may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as blurred vision, weakness, and drowsiness. Avoid activities that require high alertness before you know how your body is responding to this treatment.
• This medicine can affect the menstrual cycle and increase the chance of an unplanned pregnancy. Consult your doctor about using birth control tools while using this medicine.
• This medication may make you more sensitive to sunlight. Limit your sun exposure and use sun cream and clothes that protect you from the sun. Call your doctor if burning or redness appears.

Is Glucovance safe for consumption for pregnant women?

This medicine is only given to pregnant women if the benefits it produces outweigh the risks to the fetus. By the United States Food and Drug Administration, this drug falls into category B (no risk in some studies). Animal studies have not shown a risk to the fetus, but no controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant women.

Glucovance Drug Interactions

Certain drugs cannot be used together because they will cause interactions that interfere with the work of one drug. However, doctors sometimes prescribe both when needed. Products that may interact with the use of Glucovance are bosentan and contrast fluid.

Some of the other products that interact with Glucovance are:

• Thiazides and other diuretics
• Corticosteroids
• Phenothiazines
• Thyroid products
• Estrogen
• Family planning pills
• Phenytoin
• Nicotinic acid
• Sympathomimetics

The use of diabetes drugs that you are currently taking can also cause blood sugar levels to drop dramatically if taken together with Glucovance. The above list does not include the entire list of drugs that interact with Glucovance. For this reason, it is very important for you to keep a complete list of drugs, both prescription and non-prescription, herbal medicines, and multivitamins that you are taking and inform your doctor before taking Glucovance.

Glucovance overdose

What should I do if I overdose on Glucovance?

In an emergency or overdose, immediately contact emergency medical assistance (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Hypoglycemia can be a sign that you have overdosed on Glucovance. Symptoms can include weakness, confusion, trembling, sweating, difficulty communicating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fainting, and even seizures. An overdose can also cause symptoms of lactate build-up, such as muscle pain, numbness, trouble breathing, vomiting, slow heart rate, and fatigue.

What if I forget to take medicine?

If you miss your scheduled medication, take it as soon as you remember it with your meal. If it is too close to the schedule for taking the next medication, ignore the missed schedule and continue on the normal schedule. Do not double your dose on a single medication schedule.