Glyburide+metformin
About Glyburide+metformin
Glyburide+metformin belongs to a class of anti-diabetic drugs used in treating type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) condition affecting how the body processes glucose. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced cannot perform its function in the body (insulin resistance).
Glyburide+metformin is a combination of two anti-diabetic drugs: Glyburide and Metformin. Glyburide works by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Thus, insulin helps to remove sugar from the blood. Metformin reduces sugar production by cells in the liver and delays sugar absorption from the intestines. Also, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin which enables these cells to remove sugar more effectively from the blood. Together, Glyburide+metformin helps treat type 2 diabetes.
Take Glyburide+metformin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Glyburide+metformin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it based on your medical condition. You may sometimes experience low blood sugar, nausea, diarrhoea, upset stomach and headache. Most of these side effects of Glyburide+metformin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to Glyburide+metformin or other medicines. Glyburide+metformin is not recommended for children. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Glyburide+metformin as it may be excreted in human milk. Please inform your doctor before taking Glyburide+metformin if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Avoid alcohol consumption with Glyburide+metformin as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body). Drive only if you are alert after taking Glyburide+metformin, as it may cause dizziness. Take short, frequent meals and avoid prolonged fasting while taking Glyburide+metformin.
Uses of Glyburide+metformin
Medicinal Benefits
Glyburide+metformin is a combination of two antidiabetic drugs: Glyburide and Metformin. Glyburide+metformin plays a vital role in decreasing the blood sugar level in the body. Metformin lowers glucose production in the liver, whereas Glyburide increases the insulin released by the pancreas. Glyburide+metformin also helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes, such as kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy), blindness (diabetic retinopathy), and loss of sensation in hands and feet (diabetic neuropathy). Being a combination of two drugs Glyburide+metformin reduces the need to take multiple pills, making it easier to remember to take medicine.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Glyburide+metformin
- Low blood sugar
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Upset stomach
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Some diabetic patients taking Glyburide+metformin may develop a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. In this condition, there is too much lactic acid accumulated in the blood. Inform your doctor if you have/had kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart attack, stroke, heart, liver problems or if you are older than 65years. If you are allergic to Glyburide+metformin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Glyburide+metformin is not recommended for children. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Glyburide+metformin as it may be excreted in human milk. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Glyburide+metformin. Avoid alcohol consumption with Glyburide+metformin as it may increase the risk of lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in the body). Drive only if you are alert after taking Glyburide+metformin as it may cause dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Glyburide+metformin may interact with high blood pressure-lowering pills (hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, metoprolol), water pills/diuretics (furosemide), heart failure-related medicines (digoxin), steroids (prednisolone), thyroid hormones etc. So, tell your doctor if you are using these drugs before taking Glyburide+metformin.
Drug-Food Interactions: Taking Glyburide+metformin with alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) and hypoglycaemia.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Glyburide+metformin should be avoided in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney problems, liver problems, cardiovascular disease (heart-related issues), and low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia) as it may worsen the condition.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeTaking Glyburide+metformin with alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) and hypoglycaemia.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is highly recommended to consult your doctor before taking Glyburide+metformin in case you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Glyburide+metformin. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionGlyburide+metformin may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) and dizziness. This may affect your ability to drive. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
Liver
cautionGlyburide+metformin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionGlyburide+metformin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeThe safety and efficacy of Glyburide+metformin in children have not been established. Glyburide+metformin is not recommended in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat at regular intervals. Do not take a long gap between meals or snacks.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly especially when there are a lot of fluctuations.
- Invest at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Replace refined carbohydrates containing foods with whole grain foods and increase intake of fruits and veggies and other fibre enriched foods.
- Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits and samosas. Choose omega 3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you may use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil.
- Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You may adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness, yoga or meditation to control stress-related blood sugar changes.
- Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk and cheese etc.).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (120/80) as possible. As it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
- Avoid drinking alcohol as it increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (decrease in blood sugar which might be fatal in some cases) and lactic acidosis (when the lactic acid increases in the body which impacts the functioning of various organs in the body).
- Try to quit smoking and reduce intake of carbohydrate-rich food like potato, rice, mangoes, bread, sugar etc
- Remember, lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.
Special Advise
- Keep taking Glyburide+metformin even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control.
- It is always better that your physician knows about any underlying conditions like kidney disease or liver disease, prior heart attack, alcohol intake, etc before the doctor prescribes you this medicine.
- Inform your doctor if you have severe diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, or serious infections.
- If you are due to undergo any surgery, inform the surgeon that you are taking Glyburide+metformin.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you experience extreme tiredness, weakness, or discomfort, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, deep and rapid breathing or shortness of breath, decreased appetite, dizziness/lightheadedness, fast or slow heartbeat, flushing of the skin, feeling cold in your hands or feet, or muscle pain.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes Mellitus type 2: Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is a condition in which either the body stops producing enough insulin (the hormone which helps to decrease sugar levels in the blood) or there is resistance to the action of insulin. As a result, excessive insulin is produced but fails to act on the body's organs. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include feeling exhausted all time, feeling thirsty, having blurry vision, and having the urge to urinate (pee) more often. Complications of type 2 diabetes include skin infection, eye problems (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), delayed wound healing, diabetic foot (foot ulcer), kidney disease (nephropathy), high blood pressure, and even stroke. Both low and high blood sugar levels can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
FAQs
Type-2 diabetes generally does not affect healthy children and teens but it may affect children who are obese which is also known as Childhood Obesity.
Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels and it is one of the side effects of Glyburide+metformin. Hypoglycemia can occur if you miss or delay your food, drink alcohol, over-exercise or take other antidiabetic medicine along with this medicine. It is important to regularly monitor blood sugar levels.
No, Glyburide+metformin should not be used with other anti-diabetic medications as it may cause hypoglycemia (lowering of blood sugar level). Talk to your doctor before taking other medicines with Glyburide+metformin.
If you feel thirsty after taking Glyburide+metformin, it may be because of dehydration as Glyburide+metformin can lead to loss of fluids. Increase intake of fluids to prevent feeling thirsty or dehydrated. Even though you feel thirsty after increasing your intake of fluids, please consult your doctor.
If you have symptoms like increased hunger, increased thirst, frequent urination (usually at night), unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound/sores healing, and frequent infections, contact the doctor as it can be a condition of type 2 diabetes.
Beware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia which include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination etc. Whenever you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, immediately consume 5-6 candies or 3 glucose biscuits or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar and also get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially for long travels.
