Glucovance

Description

Glucovance is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type II diabetes.

 

Drug Information

 

Glucovance is an anti-hyperglycemic medication. It can lower blood sugar among individuals with type II diabetes (also known as diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes).

 

Glucovance combines two different types of drugs: glyburide and metformin. Both are sulfonylureas, which are popular types of diabetic medication that can increase the amount of insulin produced by cells in the pancreas.

 

Glyburide can additionally reduce the liver’s sugar production. Metformin can reduce the amount of sugar absorbed by the stomach and intestines. In combination, both these medicines try to reduce the high levels of sugar present in the blood of diabetic patients.

 

Managing type II diabetes is important to prevent serious, and possibly fatal conditions such as kidney damage, stroke, heart attack, nerve problems, blindness, loss of limb function and sexual dysfunction.

 

Glucovance does not cure diabetes. It can only help to manage the condition along with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

 

Glucovance can also be bought in the form of film-coated tablets.

 

Dosage

 

Glucovance use will vary from patient to patient depending on the individual’s personal health condition, the body’s reaction to the therapy and other factors. Patients must follow the dosage exactly as prescribed by a physician.

 

Glucovance should be taken with a glass of water. It’s recommended to consume plenty of liquids when taking Glucovance tablets, unless otherwise instructed by a professional. Glucovance is usually taken once or twice a day up to two weeks.

 

Dosage of Glucovance is started low and gradually increased to allow the body time to adjust to the drug. For patients switching to Glucovance from another anti-diabetic, special dosage instructions may be needed to reduce the old drug gradually before stopping and starting Glucovance doses.

 

Patients taking colesevelam should take Glucovance at least 4 hours before.

 

To effectively manage type II diabetes, patients must eat healthy, exercise and monitor blood sugar levels while taking Glucovance.

 

Side Effects

 

Glucovance may cause one or more of the following side effects:

 

 Dizziness
 Headache
 Vomiting
 Nausea
 Stomach upset
 Diarrhea
 Weight gain

 

Drinking more water than usual may alleviate stomach upsets caused by Glucovance.

 

Side effects that gets worse or persist for more than a week should be immediately reported to a healthcare provider.

 

Precautions

 

 Do not take Glucovance if any you are allergic to any of the contents of the drug.

 

 Patients with kidney disease or diabetic ketoacidosis (serious condition that leads to coma) must not consume Glucovance.

 

 Certain drugs, such as bosentan that treat high blood pressure in arteries, may adversely react with Glucovance.

 

 Therefore, patients should disclose to the prescribing physician all other prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and vitamins being taken.

 

 Patients who have liver disease, a serious infection, or have experienced congestive heart failure in the past may be at risk for lactic acidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition, when undergoing Glucovance treatment.

 

 Glucovance may not be safe to use for individuals with the following conditions: liver disease, heart disease, history of strokes or heart attacks, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficiency.