Has your doctor prescribed you medication for Type 2 Diabetes? If so, you may have been prescribed a combination of two medications, Glyburide and Metformin. It is important to know about these medications when living with diabetes. So today, we will talk about everything in a very simple way that you can understand.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. Together, these two help control your body's sugar levels. Now let's see how that works.
- Glyburide: This medication works by giving your pancreas a little boost. That is, it signals the pancreas to produce a little more of the hormone insulin that the body needs.
- Metformin: This medication helps your body's cells use the insulin produced by your pancreas to help the cells absorb excess sugar (glucose) from your blood.
So as a result of both of these, your blood sugar levels are controlled.
But remember this: This medicine alone is not enough! To effectively control diabetes, you must also follow a proper diet and exercise daily.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before starting this medication, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions or habits, as using this medication with these things can be dangerous.
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. |
|---|
| Anemia |
| Dehydration or persistent vomiting |
| If you have had diabetic ketoacidosis before |
| Kidney disease or liver disease |
| Heart disease |
| Habit of drinking alcohol regularly |
| Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) |
| Thyroid diseases |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother |
| If you have allergies to sulfa drugs or any other medicine or food |
How should I use this medicine?
- Swallow the tablet with a glass of water with a meal . Do not take on an empty stomach.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , exactly as your doctor prescribed.
- Never take more than the dose your doctor has prescribed.
- If you are over 65 years of age, you may need a lower dose. Your doctor will advise you on this.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you have any suspicion that you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. It has been given to you based on your medical condition. Therefore, never share your medicine with anyone else.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
There are several things you should pay attention to when using this medicine.
- Regular medical check-ups: Go to your doctor at regular intervals and get yourself checked. Your HbA1C blood test will be done every 3 to 6 months. HbA1C is a simple test that shows how well your blood sugar levels have been controlled over the past 2-3 months.
- Hypoglycemia: This is the most important thing. Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar (shaking, excessive sweating, feeling unwell, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, confusion). Always keep something like sugar, a piece of candy, or glucose tablets nearby for use in such cases. Remember, if your blood sugar drops too low and you have a seizure or lose consciousness, it is not a good idea to put anything in your mouth at that time, as it could cause choking. You should seek medical help immediately.
- Meals and Alcohol: Never skip meals. Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol. Some cough and cold medicines may contain sugar or alcohol. They can affect your blood sugar levels, so ask your doctor before taking them.
- Pregnancy and birth control: This medication may cause some women (especially those with irregular periods) to start ovulating again. This may increase your chances of getting pregnant. You should not take this medication if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Therefore, talk to your doctor about birth control methods you should use while taking this medication.
- Surgeries and tests: If you are going to have surgery, an MRI, or a CT scan, be sure to tell the medical team that you are taking this medication. You may need to stop taking the medication a few days before the test.
- Be careful with the sun: This medicine may make some people sensitive to the sun. So be careful with strong sunlight. If you are going to be in the sun, wear clothes that cover your skin and use sunscreen.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like all medicines, this one can have side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Be aware of the symptoms below.
| Side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat |
| Lactic Acidosis | Muscle pain or stiffness, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue |
| Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) | Tremors, excessive sweating, feeling cold, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat |
| Hemolytic anemia | Unusual tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes |
| Vitamin B12 deficiency | Pain in the hands and feet, numbness, muscle weakness, dizziness, confusion |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach ache | Bloating, flatulence, stomach pain, nausea |
| Other | Headache, metallic taste in the mouth |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Although this medication helps control diabetes, a proper diet and exercise are essential.
- Always take the medicine with a meal . Do not take on an empty stomach.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and always keep something with sugar nearby.
- If you suspect an overdose , go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න