Diabetes Monitor - Information, education, and support for people with diabetes

Dq&a - Why Are Two Medications Now Needed?

Publication Date: 10/1/2004

Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.

 


 

Question

I have been controlling sugars with diet and 2.5 mg of glyburide for 3 years with good results. Sugars suddenly shot up to 265 in fasting tests. I am now on 5 mg glyburide and 500mg metformin. Doctor is hard to talk to and did not answer "why both"? Can you? I have atrial fibrillation and on numerous medications, can this be why the sudden surge? Appreciate any answer you can send.

Answer

Most people do require more medication to control the blood sugars as the years go by. You are still not on a very high dose of either medication. The glyburide works by increasing insulin levels and the metformin increases the effectiveness of the insulin. Thus they work together to lower your sugar level. Other things that can raise sugar are increasing weight, decreasing exercise, other medical problems and some medications. You can ask your doctor, though medications used for atrial fibrillation do not usually affect the blood sugar. If the fibrillation is new then whatever has precipitated this may be playing some role.

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