Medication that Treats High Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is said as diabetes mellitus in medical term. Type 2 diabetes is described as a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (sugar) there may be different reasons behind it. Like inadequate insulin production, improper response to insulin by your body cells or both.

Glyburide-metformin is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines. It helps in case of type 2 diabetes.

How do Glyburide-metformin works?

It belongs to the sulfonylurea class of insulin secretagogues. Certain cells in the pancreas are responsible to produce insulin known as beta cells.

Glyburide stimulates the function of this pancreatic beta cells. This allows it to produce insulin and reduce blood glucose.

Metformin is in the class of biguanides. It helps to improve glucose tolerance. It lowers basal and postprandial plasma glucose level. Metformin performs in three ways.

1. Decreases glucose production in the liver.
2. Decreases glucose absorption in the intestine.
3. Increases peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.

All this helps to maintain low glucose level in your blood. In addition to the glucose level in your blood. In addition to glucose lowering actions, glyburide produces a mild diuresis by allowing renal free water clearance.

What are the uses of Glyburide-metformin?

Treats high blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. It is performed in combination with diet and exercise. Other uses are;

• Helps your body to use insulin better.
• Glyburide lowers the blood sugar level in the body.
• It causes the pancreas to produce insulin.
• Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose in your blood.
• It decreases the amount of sugar you absorb from your body.
• Decreases amount of glucose made by your liver.
• It also helps your body to use its own insulin more effectively

How to take Glyburide-metformin?

Glyburide-metformin is available in the form of tablets of strength 5/500mg. Your dose form and how often you take may depend on,

• Your age.
• The condition being treated.
• How serve your condition is?
• Other medical condition you have.
• Your reaction to the first dose.

Adult dosage: – [age 18-64 years]

• Initial dose -12.5/250mg. Take it once or twice in a day with meals.
• Maintenance dose – Doctor may increase the dose in increments of 1.25/250mg at two-week intervals.
• The maximum dose – 20/200mg in a day.
• For patients inadequately controlled on a sulfonylurea and/or metformin- 2.5/500 mg or 5/500 mg two times in a day with meals.
• Children- Safety and efficacy in patients younger than 18 years have not been established.

What are the precautions in taking Glyburide-metformin?

It is important to take into consideration certain conditions in taking Glyburide-metformin. Inform or ask your doctor if you have/are,

• Allergic to Glyburide-metformin.
• Any other allergies.
• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• Congestive heart failure, recent heart attack etc.
• Serious infection.
• Dehydration.
• Lung disease
• Blood problems.
• Fertility problems.
• Dental or other surgery.
• Tell your doctor about all medications you take.
• Limit alcohol.

Other precautions are,

• Sensitivity towards sun increases. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
• Discuss a plan with your doctor to manage your blood sugar while pregnant.
• Metformin passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor to use while breastfeeding.

Cost of Glyburide-metformin (Generic and brand).

Generic medicines are cheap but show the same effect. Both generic and brand version contain the same active ingredient. Brand drugs as costlier as compared to generic drugs. The increased cost is due to the pricing, packaging and the brand name of the company.

Cost of generic Glyburide-metformin.

Pack of 30tablets of strength 5mg/500mg costs $ 8 per unit cost is $ 0.27.

Cost of brand Glucovance.

Pack of 30 tablets of strength 5mg/500mg cost $ 49.63 per unit cost is $ 1.65.