Glucovance

Take Glucovance twice daily with meals and full glass of water. Take it regularly and each time every day to get the best benefit from it.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages during treatment with this medication. Notify your doctor first than to take Glucovance if you have any kind of fever, thyroid gland diseases with functional disorders, hypofunction of the anterior pituitary or the adrenal cortex. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before to take this drug and also if you have severe breathing problems (e.g., obstructive lung disease, severe asthma), thyroid disease, blood problems (e.g., anemia, vitamin B-12 deficiency).

Hypersensitivity to metformin, glyburide, or other derivatives of sulfonylurea, type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic precoma, diabetic coma, kidney failure or kidney dysfunction, severe conditions which may lead to kidney dysfunction (dehydration, severe infection, shock), acute or chronic diseases that are accompanied by hypoxia of tissues: cardiac or respiratory failure, recent myocardial infarction,

hepatic impairment, porphyria, pregnancy, breast-feeding, co-administration with miconazole (anti-fungal), infectious diseases, extensive surgery, trauma, extensive burns and other conditions requiring a therapy with insulin, abnormal liver function, chronic alcoholism, acute alcohol intoxication, lactic acidosis, usage 48 hours before and 48 hours after the radioisotope or radiological examinations with help of iodinated contrast agents, in patients over 60 y.o., or doing hard physical work (risk of lactic acidosis increases), low glucose diet.

Side effects

The following side effects are most common and be rather severe to stop taking of the medication: swelling or rapid weight gain, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea and loss of appetite. In case of lactic acidosis also get emergency medical help: shortness of breath, stomach pain, weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting. Allergic reaction is also possible: hives, swelling, rash.

Cimetidine (Tagamet) increases blood levels of Glucophage affecting its metabolism. Glucophage is not compatible with alcohol. Concomitant administration with indirect anticoagulants and Cimetidine should be done with cautiousness. Glucophage enhances metabolism of Furosemide. Derivatives of sulfonylurea, insulin, acarbose, inhibitors of MAO, ACE inhibitors (such as captopril), oxytetracycline, cyclophosphamide and salicylates increase the effects of Glucophage. Decrease of hypoglycemic effect of Glucophage is caused by co-administration with thyroid medicines, birth control pills and other hormones, Epinephrine, Glucagon, thiazide diuretics, nicotinic acid derivates. Azole antifungals (fluconazole) also interact with Glucovance.

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.

Symptoms of Glucovance overdose are ones of low blood sugar: hunger, tremors, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, headache, weakness, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure and have a source of sugar at hand always. If you experience one of them or any unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately.

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.