Glyburide Metformin Drug Information

Generic name: GLYBURIDE-METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE

Sulfonylurea [EPC]

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Uses of Glyburide Metformin

Glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dosage & Administration of Glyburide Metformin

Dosage •

Give glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets in divided doses, twice daily, with meals. • For patients not treated with either glyburide (or another sulfonylurea) or metformin hydrochloride (HCl), initiate treatment with another formulation of glyburide and metformin HCl at a starting dose of 1.25 mg glyburide and 250mg metformin HCl orally, once or twice daily with meals. • For patients not adequately controlled on either glyburide (or another sulfonylurea) or metformin HCl alone, the recommended starting dose of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets is 2.5 mg/500 mg or 5 mg/500 mg orally twice daily with meals. • For patients previously treated with a combination therapy of glyburide (or another sulfonylurea) and metformin HCl, the starting dose of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets should not exceed the daily dose of glyburide (or equivalent dose of another sulfonylurea) and metformin HCl already being taken. • Increase the dose gradually on the basis of glycemic control and tolerability, up to a maximum to a maximum dose of 20 mg glyburide/2,000 mg metformin HCl daily.

Patients Receiving Colesevelam •

Administer glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam for patients taking both drugs concomitantly.

Recommendations for Use in Renal Impairment •

Assess renal function prior to initiation of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets and periodically thereafter. • Glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets is contraindicated in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 30 mL/minute/1.73 m 2. • Initiation of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets in patients with an eGFR between 30 to 45 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 is not recommended. • In patients taking glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets whose eGFR later falls below 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2, assess the benefit risk of continuing therapy. • Discontinue glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets if the patient’s eGFR later falls below 30 mL/minute/1.73 m 2.

Discontinuation for Iodinated Contrast Imaging Procedures •

Discontinue glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets at the time of, or prior to, an iodinated contrast imaging procedure in patients with an eGFR between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2; in patients with a history of liver disease, alcoholism or heart failure; or in patients who will be administered intra-arterial iodinated contrast. • Re-evaluate eGFR 48 hours after the imaging procedure; restart glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets if renal function is stable.

Side Effects of Glyburide Metformin

Clinical Studies Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions are listed in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring >5% in Double-Blind Clinical Studies of Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Used as Initial (20 Weeks) or Second-Line (14 Weeks) Therapy Hypoglycemia The incidence of reported symptoms of hypoglycemia (such as dizziness, shakiness, sweating, and hunger), in the initial therapy study of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride are summarized in Table 2.

As second-line therapy in patients inadequately controlled on sulfonylurea alone, approximately 6.8% of all patients treated with glyburide and metformin hydrochloride experienced hypoglycemic symptoms. Gastrointestinal Reactions The incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal pain) in the glyburide and metformin hydrochloride initial therapy study are summarized in Table 2. Across all glyburide and metformin hydrochloride studies, GI symptoms were the most common adverse events with glyburide and metformin hydrochloride and were more frequent at higher dose levels.

In controlled studies, <2% of patients discontinued glyburide and metformin hydrochloride therapy due to GI adverse events. Table 2: Hypoglycemia or Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions in a Placebo and Active-Controlled Study of Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride as Initial Therapy (20 Weeks) Dermatologic Reactions Allergic skin reactions, e.g., pruritus, erythema, urticaria, and morbilliform or maculopapular eruptions, occur in 1.5% of glyburide-treated patients. These may be transient and may disappear despite continued use.

Postmarketing Adverse Reactions

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Allergic: Angioedema, arthralgia, myalgia, and vasculitis have been reported.

Dermatologic: Porphyria cutanea tarda and photosensitivity reactions have been reported with sulfonylureas. Hematologic: Leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, which occasionally may present as purpura, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, and pancytopenia, have been reported with sulfonylureas. Hepatic: Cholestatic, hepatocellular, and mixed hepatocellular liver injury have been reported with postmarketing use of metformin.

Cholestatic jaundice and hepatitis may occur rarely with glyburide, which may progress to liver failure. Liver function abnormalities, including isolated transaminase elevations, have been reported. Metabolic: Hepatic porphyria reactions have been reported with sulfonylureas; however, these have not been reported with glyburide.

Disulfiram-like reactions have been reported very rarely with glyburide. Cases of hyponatremia have been reported with glyburide and all other sulfonylureas, most often in patients who are on other medications or have medical conditions known to cause hyponatremia or increase release of antidiuretic hormone. Other Reactions: Changes in accommodation and/or blurred vision have been reported with glyburide and other sulfonylureas.

These are thought to be related to fluctuation in glucose levels.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring >5% in Double-Blind Clinical Studies of Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Used as Initial (20 Weeks) or Second-Line (14 Weeks) Therapy
Number (%) of Patients
Adverse ReactionPlacebo N=161Glyburide N=324Metformin HCl N=312Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride N=642
Diarrhea6%6%21%17%
Headache11%11%9%9%
Nausea/vomiting6%5%12%8%
Abdominal pain4%3%8%7%
Dizziness4%6%4%6%
VariablePlacebo N=161Glyburide Tablets N=160Metformin HCl Tablets N=159Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride 1.25 mg/250 mg Tablets N=158Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride 2.5 mg/500 mg Tablets N=162
Number (%) of patients with symptoms of hypoglycemia3%21%3%11%38%
Number (%) of patients with gastrointestinal adverse events24%24%43%32%38%

Warnings & Cautions for Glyburide Metformin

Hypoglycemia

All sulfonylurea drugs, including glyburide and metformin hydrochloride, are capable of producing severe hypoglycemia. Concomitant use of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride with other antidiabetic medication can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. A lower dose of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when combining it with other antidiabetic medications.

Educate patients to recognize and manage hypoglycemia. When initiating and increasing glyburide and metformin hydrochloride in patients who may be predisposed to hypoglycemia (e.g., the elderly, patients with renal impairment, patients on other anti-diabetic medications) start with a lower dose. Debilitated or malnourished patients, and those with adrenal, pituitary, or hepatic impairment are particularly susceptible to the hypoglycemic action of anti-diabetic medications.

Hypoglycemia is also more likely to occur when caloric intake is deficient, after severe or prolonged exercise, or when alcohol is ingested. The patient's ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycemia. Early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia may be different or less pronounced in patients with autonomic neuropathy, the elderly, and in patients who are taking beta-adrenergic blocking medications or other sympatholytic agents.

These situations may result in severe hypoglycemia before the patient is aware of the hypoglycemia. These impairments may present a risk in situations where these abilities are especially important, such as driving or operating other machinery. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness or convulsions and may result in temporary or permanent impairment of brain function or death.

Cardiovascular Mortality

The administration of oral hypoglycemic drugs has been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality as compared to treatment with diet alone or diet plus insulin. This warning is based on the study conducted by the University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP), a long-term prospective clinical study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of glucose-lowering drugs in preventing or delaying vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study involved 823 patients who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups.

UGDP reported that patients treated for 5 to 8 years with diet plus a fixed dose of tolbutamide (1.5 grams per day) had a rate of cardiovascular mortality approximately 2½ times that of patients treated with diet alone. A significant increase in total mortality was not observed, but the use of tolbutamide was discontinued based on the increase in cardiovascular mortality, thus limiting the opportunity for the study to show an increase in overall mortality. Despite controversy regarding the interpretation of these results, the findings of the UGDP study provide an adequate basis for this warning.

The patient should be informed of the potential risks and benefits of glyburide and of alternative modes of therapy. Although only one drug in the sulfonylurea class (tolbutamide) was included in this study, it is prudent from a safety standpoint to consider that this warning may also apply to other hypoglycemic drugs in this class, in view of their close similarities in mode of action and chemical structure.

Hemolytic Anemia Treatment of patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency with sulfonylurea agents, including glyburide and metformin hydrochloride, can lead to hemolytic anemia. Avoid use of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride in patients with G6PD deficiency. In postmarketing reports, hemolytic anemia has also been reported in patients who did not have known G6PD deficiency.

Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

In clinical studies of 29-week duration with metformin HCl tablets, a decrease to subnormal levels of previously normal serum vitamin B 12 levels, was observed in approximately 7% of patients. Such decrease, possibly due to interference with B 12 absorption from the B 12 -intrinsic factor complex, may be associated with anemia but appears to be rapidly reversible with discontinuation of metformin or vitamin B 12 supplementation. Certain individuals (those with inadequate vitamin B 12 or calcium intake or absorption) appear to be predisposed to developing subnormal vitamin B 12 levels.

Measure hematologic parameters on an annual basis and vitamin B 12 at 2 to 3 year intervals in patients on glyburide and metformin hydrochloride and manage any abnormalities.

Macrovascular Outcomes There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with glyburide and metformin hydrochloride.

Drug Interactions with Glyburide Metformin

  • Table 3 presents clinically significant drug interactions with glyburide and metformin hydrochloride. Table 3: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 / multidrug and toxin extrusion inhibitors) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis.
  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may increase risk of lactic acidosis. Consider more frequent monitoring.
  • Drugs that reduce metformin clearance (such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) may increase the accumulation of metformin. Consider the benefits and risks of concomitant use.
  • Alcohol can potentiate the effect of metformin on lactate metabolism. Warn patients against excessive alcohol intake.
  • The hypoglycemic action of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets may be potentiated by certain drugs.
  • Concomitant administration of colesevalam may led to reduced glyburide absorption.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Clinical Impact:Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors frequently cause a decrease in serum bicarbonate and induce non-anion gap, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Concomitant use of these drugs with glyburide and metformin hydrochloride may increase the risk for lactic acidosis.
Intervention:Consider more frequent monitoring of these patients.
Examples:Topiramate, zonisamide, acetazolamide and dichlorphenamide.
Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance
Clinical Impact:Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ].
Intervention:Consider the benefits and risks of concomitant use with glyburide and metformin hydrochloride.
Examples:Ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine.
Alcohol
Clinical Impact:Alcohol is known to potentiate the effect of metformin on lactate metabolism.
Intervention:Warn patients against excessive alcohol intake while receiving glyburide and metformin hydrochloride.
Drugs that potentiate the hypoglycemic action of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride
Clinical Impact:Certain drugs may potentiate the hypoglycemic action of sulfonylureas, one of the components of glyburide and metformin hydrochloride.
Intervention:Closely observe patient for hypoglycemia during co-administration and for loss of glycemic control when withdrawing these agents.
Examples:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and other highly protein-boind drugs, salicylcates, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, probenecid, coumarins, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, beta-adrenergic blocking agents; potentially with ciprofloxacin, micronazole.
Bosentan
Clinical Impact:Increased risk of liver enzyme elevations was observed.
Intervention:Concomitant administration is contraindicated.
Colesevalam
Clinical Impact:Concomitant administration may led to reduced glyburide absorption (AUC and Cmax: -32% and -47%, respectively).
Intervention:Glyburide and metformin hydrochloride should be administered at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam.
Drugs Reducing Glycemic Control
Clinical Impact:Certain drugs tend to produce hyperglycemia and may lead to loss of glycemic control.
Intervention:When such drugs are administered to a patient receiving glyburide and metformin hydrochloride observe the patient closely for loss of blood glucose control. When such drugs are withdrawn from a patient receiving glyburide and metformin hydrochloride, observe the patient closely for hypoglycemia.
Examples:Thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blockers, and isoniazid.

Contraindications for Glyburide Metformin

  • Glyburide and metformin hydrochloride tablets is contraindicated in patients with:
  • Severe renal impairment (eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ).
  • Hypersensitivity to metformin or glyburide.
  • Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma.
  • Concomitant administration of bosentan.
  • Concomitant administration of bosentan.

Overdosage Information for Glyburide Metformin

Glyburide Overdosage of sulfonylureas, including glyburide tablets, can produce hypoglycemia. Mild hypoglycemic symptoms, without loss of consciousness or neurological findings, should be treated with oral glucose. Severe hypoglycemic reactions with coma, seizure, or other neurological impairment are medical emergencies requiring immediate treatment.

The patient should be treated with glucagon or intravenous glucose. Patients should be closely monitored for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours since hypoglycemia may recur after apparent clinical recovery. Clearance of glyburide from plasma may be prolonged in persons with liver disease.

Because of the extensive protein binding of glyburide, dialysis is unlikely to be of benefit. Metformin Overdose of metformin has occurred, including ingestion of amounts greater than 50 g. Hypoglycemia was reported in approximately 10% of cases, but no causal association with metformin has been established.

Lactic acidosis has been reported in approximately 32% of metformin overdose cases. Metformin is dialyzable with a clearance of up to 170 mL/min under good hemodynamic conditions. Therefore, hemodialysis may be useful for removal of accumulated drug from patients in whom metformin overdosage is suspected.

Clinical Studies of Glyburide Metformin

Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control on Diet and Exercise Alone In a 20-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter U.S. clinical study, involving 806 drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes, whose hyperglycemia was not adequately controlled with dietary management alone (baseline fasting plasma glucose below 240 mg/dL, baseline hemoglobin A1c between 7% and 11%), were randomized to receive initial therapy with placebo, 2.5 mg glyburide, 500 mg metformin HCl, glyburide and metformin hydrochloride 1.25 mg/250 mg, or glyburide and metformin hydrochloride 2.5 mg/500 mg. After 4 weeks, the dose was progressively increased to a maximum of 4 tablets daily as needed to reach a target FPG of 126 mg/dL. Study data at 20 weeks are summarized in Table 5.

Table 5: Mean Change in Hemoglobin A1c and Fasting Plasma Glucose in Patients Receiving Placebo, Glyburide, Metformin HCl or Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride at 20 Weeks a p<0.001 b p<0.05 c p=NS Mean baseline body weight was kg and 87 kg in the placebo, glyburide 2.5mg, metformin 500mg, glyburide and metformin hydrochloride 1.25mg/250mg and 2.5mg/500mg arms, respectively. Mean change in body weight from baseline to week kg and +1.9 in the placebo, glyburide, metformin, glyburide and metformin hydrochloride 1.25mg/250mg and 2.5mg/500mg arms, respectively. Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control on Sulfonylurea Alone In a 16-week, double-blind, active-controlled U.S. clinical study, a total of 639 patients with type 2 diabetes not adequately controlled (mean baseline HbA1c 9.5%, mean baseline FPG 213 mg/dL) while being treated with at least one-half the maximum dose of a sulfonylurea (e.g., glyburide 10 mg, glipizide 20 mg) were randomized to receive glyburide (fixed dose, 20 mg), metformin HCl (500 mg), glyburide and metformin hydrochloride 2.5 mg/500 mg, or glyburide and metformin hydrochloride 5 mg/500 mg.

The doses of metformin HCl and glyburide and metformin hydrochlorides were titrated to a maximum of 4 tablets daily as needed to achieve FPG <140 mg/dL. Study data at 16 weeks are summarized in Table 6. Table 6: Mean Change in Hemoglobin A1c and Fasting Plasma Glucose in Patients Receiving Glyburide, Metformin HCl or Glyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride at 16 Weeks a p<0.001 Weight gain due to glyburide was comparable in all three exposed groups.

PlaceboGlyburide 2.5 mg tabletsMetformin HCl 500 mg tabletsGlyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride 1.25 mg/250 mg tabletsGlyburide and metformin hydrochloride 2.5 mg/500 mg tablets
Mean Final Dose0 mg5.3 mg1,317 mg2.78 mg/557 mg4.1 mg/824 mg
Hemoglobin A1cN=147N=142N=141N=149N=152
Baseline Mean (%)8.148.148.238.228.20
Mean Change from Baseline-0.21-1.24-1.03-1.48-1.53
Difference from Placebo-1.02-0.82-1.26 a-1.31 a
Difference from Glyburide-0.24 b-0.29 b
Difference from Metformin-0.44 b-0.49 b
Fasting Plasma GlucoseN=159N=158N=156N=153N=154
Baseline Mean FPG (mg/dL)177.2178.9175.1178176.6
Mean Change from Baseline4.6-35.7-21.2-41.5-40.1
Difference from Placebo-40.3-25.8-46.1 a-44.7 a
Difference from Glyburide-5.8 c-4.5 c
Difference from Metformin-20.3 c-18.9 c
Final HbA1c Distribution (%)N=147N=142N=141N=149N=152
<7%19.7%59.9%50.4%66.4%71.7%
≥7% and <8%37.4%26.1%29.8%25.5%19.1%
≥8%42.9%14.1%19.9%8.1%9.2%
Glyburide 5 mg tabletsMetformin HCl 500 mg tabletsGlyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride 2.5 mg/500 mg tabletsGlyburide and Metformin Hydrochloride 5 mg/500 mg tablets
Mean Final Dose20 mg1,840 mg8.8 mg/1,760 mg17 mg/1,740 mg
Hemoglobin A1cN=158N=142N=154N=159
Baseline Mean (%)9.639.519.439.44
Final Mean9.619.827.927.91
Difference from Glyburide-1.69 a-1.70 a
Difference from Metformin−1.90 a−1.91 a
Fasting Plasma GlucoseN=163N=152N=160N=160
Baseline Mean (mg/dL)218.4213.4212.2210.2
Final Mean221.0233.8169.6161.1
Difference from Glyburide−51.3 a−59.9 a
Difference from Metformin−64.2 a−72.7 a
Final HbA1c Distribution (%)N=158N=142N=154N=159
<7%2.5%2.8%24.7%22.6%
≥7% and <8%9.5%11.3%33.1%37.1%
≥8%88%85.9%42.2%40.3%

Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.

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