Diabetrol (Glibenclamide Metformin)

Diabetrol SR

What is Glibenclamide and Metformin?

Glibenclamide and Metformin is a combination oral medication for type 2 diabetes. It contains two active ingredients Glibenclamide and Metformin which are also available as individual drugs for diabetes treatment. It is sold as Glucovance and Diabetrol (by Nicholas Pharma) and several other brand names worldwide.
Glibenclamide and Metformin medication helps in type 2 diabetes treatment by helping the body control its blood sugar levels. This medication is not prescribed for type 1 diabetes and it may also be given for treatment other than those listed above.

Important Information about Glibenclamide and Metformin

You must not take Glibenclamide and Metformin medication (Glucovance, Diabetrol) if you are allergic to its active ingredient Glibenclamide or Metformin , or if you are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition in which body lacks insulin and uses fats instead of glucose for energy purposes resulting in ketones in the body).
You may be required to temporarily suspend Glibenclamide and Metformin medication if you are scheduled for an X-Ray or CT Scan test and require a dye to be injected intravenously. 
Before taking Glibenclamide and Metformin, notify your doctor if you have liver or heart disease, an incident of heart attack or stroke in the past, or an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
Lactic acidosis has been observed in some people who take Glibenclamide and Metformin. Get emergency medical help if you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis such as muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your limbs, breathing trouble, pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, overall weakness, or lethargy. Early symptoms may deteriorate and can turn fatal. So be careful and ask your doctor for more details on it.

Before taking Glibenclamide and Metformin

Before taking Glibenclamide and Metformin (Glucovance, Diabetrol), remember to take care of all precautions and preventive measures which are mentioned above. Discuss all the points in detail with your doctor so that you can safely take this medication.
Metformin HCL is classified under FDA pregnancy category B which means it is not expected to be harmful to your unborn baby in case you are pregnant. Severe hypoglycemia has been observed in babies whose mothers have taken similar diabetes medications close to the time of delivery. It is also unknown if Metformin can pass into breast milk and harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about it if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breast feeding.
Some oral diabetes medications are known to increase the risk of serious heart problems. However, untreated diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Discuss the benefits of Glibenclamide and Metformin medication and diabetes treatment from it with your doctor.

How should I take Glibenclamide and Metformin?

Take Glibenclamide and Metformin medication (Glucovance, Diabetrol) strictly as advised by your doctor. Don’t alter the course of the medication in any way, either by amount or by duration. Your doctor may advise you to change Glibenclamide and Metformin dose sometimes to ensure proper diabetes management. You may also be required to suspend your Metformin HCL medication temporarily if you are scheduled for a surgery or if you have an illness or an infection.
You must take Glibenclamide and Metformin with a meal or as per your doctor’s advice. While taking this medication, you have to keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels, especially if you skip your meals, exercise more, have an illness or infection, or drink alcohol. You may also require undergoing several blood tests. Don’t skip any of these tests.
Taking Glibenclamide and Metformin may lead to hypoglycemia or very low blood sugar. Know the signs of hypoglycemia and how to recognize them: weakness, sweating, headache, hunger, tremors, irritability, or concentration troubles. Always keep an instant source of glucose handy like glucose tablets or glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you experience severe hypoglycemia and can’t eat or drink, you may be required to take glucose injections called glucagon which you can self administer. Ask your doctor about it.
Glibenclamide and Metformin will not treat your diabetes alone. You will have to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen along with other diabetes medications to properly keep your high blood sugar condition in check.
Remember to store Glibenclamide and Metformin medication in a cool and dry place.

What happens if I forget to take a dose?

If you miss a Glibenclamide and Metformin dose, take it as soon as you remember it, but take it with some food. However, skip the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is near. Don’t take extra medication or two doses near to each other to compensate for the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Metformin can lead to severe hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical attention or call the Doctor immediately. Symptoms of lactic acidosis are: chills, muscle pain, breathing shortness, light headed feeling, feeling like you may pass out, stomach ache, increased sleepiness, or reduced heart rate.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia are: blurred vision, severe lethargy, sweating, speech troubles, tremors, confusion, pain in stomach, and convulsions (seizure).

What should I avoid while taking Glibenclamide and Metformin?

Alcohol lowers blood sugar. Consumption of alcohol while taking Glibenclamide and Metformin medication can lower the level of blood sugar significantly and can lead to lactic acidosis.

Glibenclamide and Metformin Side Effects

Get emergency medical attention if you witness some allergic reactions to Glibenclamide and Metformin medication (Glucovance, Diabetrol) like hives, breathing difficulty, swelling in face, lips, tongue, or throat. This medication may lead to lactic acidosis (excessive level of lactic acid in your body which can be dangerous). Lactic acidosis may be mild initially but it can get dangerous gradually if not controlled. Seek emergency medical help if you have the following symptoms of Metformin HCL: chills, muscle pain, breathing shortness, light headed feeling, feeling like you may pass out, stomach ache, increased sleepiness, or reduced heart rate.
Immediately stop using Glibenclamide and Metformin medication if you experience some of these serious side effects: dark colored urine, pale or yellow skin, weakness, confusion, nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, appetite loss, clay colored stools, or jaundice.
Some less serious side effects are runny nose, sneezing, headache, symptoms of cold, headache, mild dizziness, mild nausea or vomiting, upset stomach, or diarrhea.
The side effects mentioned thus in this guide are not a complete set of side effects which you may experience due to Glibenclamide and Metformin. There may be other side effects. 

Glibenclamide and Metformin Dosing Information

Dosage of Glibenclamide and Metformin differs from individual to individual and depends on a variety of factors like age, sex, seriousness of conditions among several other factors. You doctor will determine the proper dosage after thorough examination of your condition.

Interaction with other drugs

Before taking Glibenclamide and Metformin (Glucovance, Diabetrol), let your doctor know if you are already taking these medications: nifedipine, cimetidine, ranitidine, furosemide, digoxin, vancomycin, quinidine, vancomycin, trimethoprim, quinine, morphine, or amiloride. They can interact with this medication significantly.
You may get hyperglycemia (high blood sugar ) if you take Glibeclamide and Metformin with these medications: diuretics; isoniazid; steroids; birth control pills and other hormones; diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies; thyroid medicine; niacin; or phenothiazines.
You may get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you take Glibenclamide and Metformin with these medications: exenatide; some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; aspirin or other salicylates; exenatide; sulfa drugs; a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; other oral diabetes medications like acarbose, metformin, miglitol, rosiglitazone or others.
These lists of drugs which can interact with Glibenclamide and Metformin are non exhaustive and there may be other drugs which can interfere with this medication’s functioning thereby increasing or reducing its effects of lowering your blood sugar level. Let your doctor know about all medications you use, prescribed or OTC or herbal products beforehand for proper prescription. Don’t start a new medication without doctor’s advice.