Two-In-One Diabetes Medications

face=3DArial=20
size=3D2>Two-In-One Diabetes Medications

The number of =
medications available=20
to manage blood glucose levels continues to grow. One of the newer =
groups of=20
medications is called combination pills. Avandamet, Glucovance and =
Metaglip are=20
some of the brand names. Each of them combines two different medications =
into=20
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=20
benefits they provide:

=95 Avandamet is a =
combination of a=20
glitazone (rosiglitazone) and a biguanide (metformin). People with type =
2=20
diabetes make too little insulin. In addition, they are most likely =
insulin=20
resistant, meaning their bodies do not use the insulin they make =
effectively.=20
These two medications work to decrease insulin resistance. Rosiglitazone =

decreases insulin resistance in muscles, and metformin decreases the =
liver=92s=20
over production of glucose. Because the glitazone and biguanide do not =
increase=20
blood insulin levels, they do not cause hypoglycemia, unless they are =
combined=20
with a sulfonylurea or insulin.

The medication is =
available in=20
tablets of the following strengths:

• 
  

    1 mg =
  rosiglitazone/500 mg=20
  metformin

  
  
• 
  

    2 mg =
  rosiglitazone/500 mg=20
  metformin

  
  
• 
  

    4 mg =
  rosiglitazone/500 mg=20
  metformin.

=95 Glucovance is a =
combination of a=20
sulfonylurea (glyburide) and a biguanide (metformin). The glyburide =
portion=20
increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, and the =
metformin=20
stops the liver from overproducing glucose in the liver. It also helps =
muscle=20
cells utilize glucose better (metformin component).

The medication is =
available in=20
tablets of the following strengths:

• 
  

    1.25 mg =
  glyburide/250 mg=20
  metformin

  
  
• 
  

    2.5 mg =
  glyburide/500 mg=20
  metformin

  
  
• 
  

    5 mg =
  glyburide/500 mg=20
  metformin.

=95 Metaglip is also a =
combination of a=20
sulfonylurea (glipizide) and a biguanide (metformin). It works in the =
identical=20
fashion as Glucovance. The only potential difference is that glipizide =
does not=20
act in the body quite as long as glyburide. This might be an advantage =
for=20
someone prone to hypoglycemia and a disadvantage for someone with less =
control=20
of his or her blood glucose. Your health care provider can discuss which =
one is=20
more beneficial for your individual needs.

The medication is =
available in=20
tablets of the following strengths:

• 
  

  2.5 mg glipizide/250 =
  mg metformin=20
  

  
  
• 
  

  2.5 mg glipizide/500 =
  mg metformin=20
  

  
  
• 
  

    5.0 mg =
  glipizide/500 mg=20
  metformin.

 

By lang=3Den-us>: Amy C.=20
Rogowski, BS, PharmD, CDOE