When should I call my doctor if I am taking Glucovance?

A number of symptoms should trigger a call to the doctor if you're taking the diabetes drug Glucovance (glyburide and metformin) because the drug can cause side effects, some of which are serious or even life-threatening. To avoid a medical emergency, call your doctor right away if you experience any of these signs of potentially serious side effects:

• a skin rash or hives
• itching or redness of the skin or an exaggerated sunburn
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• light-colored stools
• dark or clay-colored urine
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• fever and sore throat

You should also talk to your doctor if you develop symptoms of another serious side effect: high blood sugar. Symptoms include:

• extreme thirst or hunger
• frequent urination
• blurred vision

Symptoms of low blood sugar also warrant a call to the doctor. These include:

• dizziness
• nervousness
• headache
• weakness
• pale skin
• sweating
• nausea
• shakiness
• irritability
• hunger

Eat or drink something containing sugar (such as a hard candy or fruit juice) right away if you experience symptoms. Untreated low blood sugar can lead to confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, which may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but sometimes fatal side effect:

• severe shortness of breath
• excessive tiredness
• muscle aches
• stomach pain after the first few weeks of treatment
• feeling cold
• dizziness
• a slow or irregular heartbeat

Finally, call your doctor if you get pregnant. Glucovance may affect the developing fetus.