The number of medications available to manage blood glucose levels continues to grow. One of the newer groups of medications is called combination pills. Avandamet, Glucovance and Metaglip are some of the brand names. Each of them combines two different medications into one pill. For some people, it can be convenient to take both medications together. The following is an overview of how these medications work, and what benefits they provide:
- Avandamet is a combination of a glitazone (rosiglitazone) and a biguanide (metformin). People with type 2 diabetes make too little insulin. In addition, they are most likely insulin resistant, meaning their bodies do not use the insulin they make effectively. These two medications work to decrease insulin resistance. Rosiglitazone decreases insulin resistance in muscles, and metformin decreases the liver’s over production of glucose. Because the glitazone and biguanide do not increase blood insulin levels, they do not cause hypoglycemia, unless they are combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin. The medication is available in tablets of the following strengths:
1 mg rosiglitazone/500 mg metformin
2 mg rosiglitazone/500 mg metformin
4 mg rosiglitazone/500 mg metformin.
- Glucovance is a combination of a sulfonylurea (glyburide) and a biguanide (metformin). The glyburide portion increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, and the metformin stops the liver from overproducing glucose in the liver. It also helps muscle cells utilize glucose better (metformin component). The medication is available in tablets of the following strengths:
1.25 mg glyburide/250 mg metformin
2.5 mg glyburide/500 mg metformin
5 mg glyburide/500 mg metformin.
- Metaglip is also a combination of a sulfonylurea (glipizide) and a biguanide (metformin). It works in the identical fashion as Glucovance. The only potential difference is that glipizide does not act in the body quite as long as glyburide. This might be an advantage for someone prone to hypoglycemia and a disadvantage for someone with less control of his or her blood glucose. Your health care provider can discuss which one is more beneficial for your individual needs. The medication is available in tablets of the following strengths:
2.5 mg glipizide/250 mg metformin
2.5 mg glipizide/500 mg metformin
5.0 mg glipizide/500 mg metformin.
