Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide

When should one not use Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide

• If you are allergic to glibenclamide, metformin, or any other ingredients of Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide.
• If you have severe liver or kidney problems.
• If you have type 1 diabetes.
• If you are in a diabetic coma.
• If you are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis (symptoms include fatigue, nausea, frequent urination and muscle stiffness).
• If you are taking a medicine called bosentan to treat high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension).

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea
• Sweating
• Shakiness
• Altered taste
• Hunger
• Low blood sugar

Other General Warnings

• You experience severe diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of body fluids.
• You have problems with your heart, liver or kidneys.
• You have uncontrolled diabetes.
• You suffer from dehydration.
• You have type 1 diabetes.
• You experience signs of low blood glucose like dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, inability to concentrate.
• You experience muscle pain, stomach pain, vomiting, breathing difficulty, low body temperature. This could be a serious condition known as lactic acidosis.
• You consume alcohol regularly.
• You develop a fever or infection.
• You have problems with your adrenal or pituitary glands.
• You are scheduled to have surgery or an operation.
• You are on insulin or any other sulfonylurea medicine.
• You are a woman who does not have periods regularly or at all (premenopausal), as Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide can increase the chances of your pregnancy.
• You are above the age of 60 years.
• You have a blood enzyme deficiency (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency).
• Stop taking this medicine for a short duration if you have severe vomiting or diarrhoea, fever, etc.
• Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide is meant for use only in adults and should not be used in patients less than 18 years old.

How Does It Work?

• Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide works by the combined action of both its components - glibenclamide and metformin.
• Glibenclamide works by stimulating the release of insulin from your pancreas, thus reducing blood sugar.
• Metformin works by decreasing the amount of glucose absorbed from the intestine, lowering the amount of sugar created by the liver, and facilitating the entry of sugar into the cells.

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide works, or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• Especially, if you are taking medicines to treat your blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, high cholesterol level, mental health problems, cancer, thyroid problems, gout, tuberculosis, fits, infections, glaucoma, stomach ulcers, allergies, blood thinner medicines, prostate problems, pain and inflammation.
• Other medicines like pentoxifylline, oestrogens, progestogens, laxatives, ranolazine, dolutegravir, cimetidine, colesevelam should be used with caution along with Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide.
• You should let the doctor or the laboratory person know that you are using this medicine while going for a lab test, as this medicine may interfere with the lab tests.

Overdose

• Excess of Metformin+Glibenclamide / Glyburide may lead to lactic acidosis, coma, and fits. You may experience symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing. Seek urgent medical help if you feel you have taken too much of this medicine.

Missed a Dose