Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg

About Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg

Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg Uses

• Type 2 diabetes that remains poorly controlled on lower combination doses
• Patients needing the maximum practical glibenclamide dose alongside metformin
• Long standing type 2 diabetes with declining insulin secretion
• Reducing HbA1c when near maximum monotherapy has not reached target
• Ongoing management for patients who have already shown they tolerate this combination
• Simplifying treatment for patients who would otherwise need higher doses of two separate tablets

Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg Benefits

• Provides stronger glucose lowering action for more advanced insulin secretory decline
• Keeps two complementary antidiabetic mechanisms in a single, familiar tablet
• Reduces daily pill count compared with equivalent doses of separate drugs
• Long, well documented track record in type 2 diabetes management
• Cost effective option for patients needing higher dose combination therapy
• Widely available across pharmacies in Pakistan for uninterrupted refills

What Experts Say

The 5mg / 500mg strength carries the highest glibenclamide content in this product line and is generally reserved for patients whose diabetes remains poorly controlled despite lower combination doses or near maximum monotherapy. It reflects a more advanced stage of insulin secretory decline.

Because glibenclamide at this dose has a stronger and longer glucose lowering effect, physicians monitor more closely for hypoglycemia, particularly in older adults, those with irregular meal patterns, or anyone with early kidney impairment where drug clearance slows down.

Metformin's contribution at this strength remains focused on reducing hepatic glucose output and improving peripheral insulin sensitivity, which is why clinicians rarely push the sulfonylurea component higher without first confirming metformin is already tolerated at an adequate dose and renal function stays within a genuinely safe range.

Drug Class

• Sulfonylurea and biguanide combination, oral antidiabetic agent

Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg formula

• Glibenclamide + Metformin Hydrochloride

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg?

• Usually taken as one tablet twice daily with meals, once tolerance to lower doses is confirmed
• Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water
• Take at consistent times each day and never skip the meal that follows a dose
• Reserved for patients whose blood sugar remains high despite lower combination strengths
• Requires closer glucose monitoring, especially in the first few weeks after any dose increase
• Any further dose change must be guided by the prescribing doctor, not self-adjusted

Drug Interactions

• Alcohol: significantly raises the risk of both hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis at this higher dose
• Beta-blockers: can mask the warning symptoms of a low blood sugar episode
• NSAID pain relievers: can intensify glucose lowering and increase hypoglycemia risk
• Corticosteroids: raise blood glucose and can reduce how well this medicine works
• Iodinated contrast dye: raises the risk of contrast related kidney injury and lactic acidosis, metformin is usually paused around the procedure
• Other antidiabetic drugs or insulin: combined use meaningfully increases the overall risk of hypoglycemia

Risks and warnings

• Hypoglycemia: the higher glibenclamide dose carries a meaningfully greater risk of blood sugar dropping too low
• Lactic acidosis: a rare but serious metformin risk that increases with kidney impairment, dehydration, or heavy alcohol use
• Renal function monitoring: essential at this strength since both components rely on adequate kidney clearance
• Elderly and frail patients: face a higher chance of prolonged, severe hypoglycemia at this dose
• Not for type 1 diabetes or ketoacidosis: this combination is intended for type 2 diabetes only
• Surgery or contrast imaging: metformin is usually withheld before and after procedures using iodinated contrast dye

Glucovance Tablet 5mg / 500mg Side Effects

• Nausea or stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Low blood sugar symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, or confusion
• Headache
• Weight gain over time
• Reduced appetite
• Skin rash or unusual sun sensitivity in rare cases

Storage Conditions

• Keep tablets in their blister strip until just before taking a dose
• Store in a dry cupboard away from heat sources and direct light
• Do not use tablets past the printed expiry date
• Store safely out of the sight and reach of children