Glucovans tablets p/o 500mg/5mg №15×2

Glucovans Tablets p/o 500mg/5mg №15×2: Effective Type 2 Diabetes Management

Description:

Glucovans tablets are a fixed-dose combination medication for the management of type 2 diabetes. Each tablet contains 500mg of metformin hydrochloride and 5mg of glibenclamide, two medications with distinct mechanisms of action that work synergistically to improve blood glucose control.

Key Features:

• Manufacturer: Acino Pharma AG Switzerland
• Plant manufacturer: Merk Sante s.a.s. (Merck Sante sas), France
• Country of origin: France
• Active ingredients: Metformin + Glibenclamide
• Release form: Film-coated tablets
• Prescription drug: Requires a doctor’s prescription

Pharmacological Action:

Glucovans combines two antidiabetic agents:

• Metformin: A biguanide that lowers both basal and postprandial glucose levels by:
  • Reducing glucose production in the liver.
  • Enhancing insulin sensitivity in muscle cells.
  • Delaying glucose absorption in the gut.
• Glibenclamide: A sulfonylurea derivative that stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas.

This combination offers a comprehensive approach to blood sugar control by addressing both insulin resistance and insulin production.

Indications for Use:

Glucovans is indicated for adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as a replacement for previous dual therapy (metformin and a sulfonylurea derivative) when blood glucose levels are stable and well-controlled.

Important Precautions:

• Lactic acidosis: A rare but serious complication associated with metformin, particularly in individuals with severe kidney impairment.
• Hypoglycemia: A risk with glibenclamide, especially during initial dose titration or with irregular meals, intense physical activity, alcohol consumption, or other medications.
• Renal insufficiency: Requires careful monitoring and potential dose adjustments.
• Hepatic insufficiency: May alter the pharmacokinetics of the medication.
• Elderly patients: Increased risk of hypoglycemia; lower starting doses and gradual titration are recommended.
• Surgery: Temporary transition to insulin therapy may be necessary.

Dosage and Administration:

• Individualized dosage: Determined by a doctor based on individual blood glucose levels and HbA1c.
• Oral administration: Taken with meals.
• Dose titration: Graded increase in dosage over time to minimize gastrointestinal side effects and hypoglycemia risk.
• Maximum recommended daily dose: 4 tablets of Glucovans 500mg/5mg.
• Not for use in children.

Potential Side Effects:

• Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite.
• Less common side effects: Hypoglycemia, taste disturbance, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, skin reactions.
• Rare side effects: Lactic acidosis, vitamin B12 deficiency, hepatic porphyria, abnormal liver function tests.

Drug Interactions:

Glucovans can interact with various medications, including:

• Alcohol: Increases risk of lactic acidosis.
• Sulfonylurea derivatives: Increases risk of hypoglycemia.
• Phenylbutazone: Enhances hypoglycemic effect.
• Danazol: Requires careful glucose monitoring and dose adjustments.
• Corticosteroids: May increase blood sugar levels.
• Diuretics: May worsen renal function and increase risk of lactic acidosis.
• Iodine-containing radiocontrast agents: May cause renal failure and lactic acidosis.
• OCT1 and OCT2 substrates/inhibitors: May affect metformin absorption and elimination.
• β-blockers: Mask hypoglycemic symptoms.
• Fluconazole: Increases sulfonylurea half-life.
• Bosentan: Decreases glibenclamide concentration.
• Bile acid eliminators: May decrease glibenclamide absorption.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity: To metformin, glibenclamide, sulfonylurea derivatives, sulfonamides, or excipients.
• Type 1 diabetes: Insulin-dependent diabetes.
• Diabetic precoma: Pre-diabetic coma.
• Metabolic acidosis: Lactic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Renal failure: Creatinine clearance less than 60 ml/min.
• Acute conditions: Dehydration, severe infection, shock.
• Hypoxia: Heart or respiratory failure, recent myocardial infarction, shock.
• Liver failure: Chronic alcoholism, acute alcohol intoxication.
• Porphyria:
• Breastfeeding:
• Concomitant use of miconazole.

Storage Conditions:

Store at temperatures not higher than 25°C.

Important Note:

This information is intended for general knowledge and should not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any new medication.