Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets rarely causes serious side effects. The most serious side effect that Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets can cause is called lactic acidosis.
Q10. What is lactic acidosis and can it happen to me? Lactic acidosis is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Lactic acidosis associated with metformin is rare and has occurred mostly in people whose kidneys were not working normally. Lactic acidosis has been reported in about one in 33,000 patients taking metformin over the course of a year. Although rare, if lactic acidosis does occur, it can be fatal in up to half the cases.
It’s also important for your liver to be working normally when you take Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets. Your liver helps remove lactic acid from your bloodstream.
Your doctor will monitor your diabetes and may perform blood tests on you from time to time to make sure your kidneys and your liver are functioning normally.
There is no evidence that Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets causes harm to the kidneys or liver.
Q11. Are there other risk factors for lactic acidosis?
Your risk of developing lactic acidosis from taking Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets is very low as long as your kidneys and liver are healthy. However, some factors can increase your risk because they can affect kidney and liver function. You should discuss your risk with your physician.
You should not take Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets if:
- You have chronic kidney or liver problems
-
You have congestive heart failure which is treated with medications, e.g., digoxin (*Lanoxin®) or furosemide (**Lasix®)
- You drink alcohol excessively (all the time or short-term “binge” drinking)
- You are seriously dehydrated (have lost a large amount of body fluids)
- You are going to have certain x-ray procedures with injectable contrast agents
- You are going to have surgery
- You develop a serious condition such as a heart attack, severe infection, or a stroke
- You are ≥80 years of age and have NOT had your kidney function tested
Q12. What are the symptoms of lactic acidosis?
Some of the symptoms include: feeling very weak, tired or uncomfortable; unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort, feeling cold, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or suddenly developing a slow or irregular heartbeat.
If you notice these symptoms, or if your medical condition has suddenly changed, stop taking Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets and call your doctor right away. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital.
Q13. What does my doctor need to know to decrease my risk of lactic acidosis?
Tell your doctor if you have an illness that results in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever, or if your intake of fluids is significantly reduced. These situations can lead to severe dehydration, and it may be necessary to stop taking Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets temporarily.
You should let your doctor know if you are going to have any surgery or specialized x-ray procedures that require injection of contrast agents. Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets therapy will need to be stopped temporarily in such instances.
Q14. Can I take Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets with other medications?
Remind your doctor that you are taking Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets when any new drug is prescribed or a change is made in how you take a drug already prescribed. Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets may interfere with the way some drugs work and some drugs may interfere with the action of Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets.
Q15. What if I become pregnant while taking Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets?
Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or have become pregnant. As with other oral glucose-control medications, you should not take Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets during pregnancy.
Usually your doctor will prescribe insulin while you are pregnant. As with all medications, you and your doctor should discuss the use of Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets if you are nursing a child.
Q16. How do I take Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets?
Your doctor will tell you how many Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets to take and how often. This should also be printed on the label of your prescription. You will probably be started on a low dose of Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets and your dosage will be increased gradually until your blood sugar is controlled.
Q17. Where can I get more information about Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets?
This leaflet is a summary of the most important information about Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets. If you have any questions or problems, you should talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about type 2 diabetes as well as Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets and its side effects. There is also a leaflet (package insert) written for health professionals that your pharmacist can let you read.
GLUCOPHAGE® is a registered trademark of Merck Santé S.A.S., an associate of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany. Licensed to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Micronase®
is a registered trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn Company.
*Lanoxin® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
**Lasix® is a registered trademark of Aventis Pharma, Inc.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA 1088.
Rx Only
Manufactured for
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc.,
Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA
Manufactured by
USV LIMITED
H-17/H-18, OIDC, Mahatma Gandhi
Udyog Nagar, Dabhel, Daman 396210, India
Issued 06/09