Glucovance

Generic Name: glyburide and metformin (GLYE bure ide and met FOR min)
Brand Names: Glucovance

What is Glucovance?

Glucovance contains a combination of glyburide and metformin. Glyburide and metformin is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels.

Glucovance is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Glucovance is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Important information

You should not use Glucovance if you have severe kidney disease, if you also take bosentan (Tracleer), or if you have metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

 Prediabetes - Am I At Risk?

SLIDESHOW

Prediabetes - Am I At Risk?

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you will need to temporarily stop taking Glucovance.

Some people taking metformin develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Stop taking Glucovance and get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Glucovance if you are allergic to glyburide or metformin, or:

severe kidney disease;

metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment); or

if you are also using bosentan (to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension).

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you will need to temporarily stop taking Glucovance.

Some people taking metformin develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely if you have liver or kidney disease, surgery, congestive heart failure, a heart attack or stroke, a severe infection, if you are 65 or older, if you are dehydrated, or if you drink a lot of alcohol. Talk with your doctor about your risk.

To make sure Glucovance is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD);

liver disease; or

heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

It is not known whether Glucovance will harm an unborn baby. Similar diabetes medications have caused severe hypoglycemia in newborn babies whose mothers had used the medication near the time of delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking Glucovance.

How should I take Glucovance?

Take Glucovance exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Glucovance with meals.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever. These conditions can lead to severe dehydration, which could be dangerous while you are taking Glucovance.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Glucovance.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your Glucovance dose or dosage schedule.