Glucovance

glyburide and metformin hydrochloride

Dosage Form: tablet, film coated
Glucovance®

(Glyburide and Metformin HCl) Tablets

1.25 mg/250 mg

2.5 mg/500 mg

5 mg/500 mg

Glucovance Description

Glucovance® (Glyburide and Metformin HCl) Tablets contain 2 oral antihyperglycemic drugs used in the management of type 2 diabetes, glyburide and metformin hydrochloride.

Glyburide is an oral antihyperglycemic drug of the sulfonylurea class. The chemical name for glyburide is 1-[[p-[2-(5-chloro-o-anisamido)ethyl]phenyl]sulfonyl]-3-cyclo-hexylurea. Glyburide is a white to off-white crystalline compound with a molecular formula of C23H28ClN3O5S and a molecular weight of 494.01. The glyburide used in Glucovance has a particle size distribution of 25% undersize value not more than 6 µm, 50% undersize value not more than 7 to 10 µm, and 75% undersize value not more than 21 µm. The structural formula is represented below.

Metformin hydrochloride is an oral antihyperglycemic drug used in the management of type 2 diabetes. Metformin hydrochloride (N,N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide monohydrochloride) is not chemically or pharmacologically related to sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, or α-glucosidase inhibitors. It is a white to off-white crystalline compound with a molecular formula of C4H12ClN5 (monohydrochloride) and a molecular weight of 165.63. Metformin hydrochloride is freely soluble in water and is practically insoluble in acetone, ether, and chloroform. The pKa of metformin is 12.4. The pH of a 1% aqueous solution of metformin hydrochloride is 6.68. The structural formula is as shown:

Glucovance is available for oral administration in tablets containing 1.25 mg glyburide with 250 mg metformin hydrochloride, 2.5 mg glyburide with 500 mg metformin hydrochloride, and 5 mg glyburide with 500 mg metformin hydrochloride. In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. The tablets are film coated, which provides color differentiation.

Glucovance - Clinical Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Glucovance combines glyburide and metformin hydrochloride, 2 antihyperglycemic agents with complementary mechanisms of action, to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Glyburide appears to lower blood glucose acutely by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, an effect dependent upon functioning beta cells in the pancreatic islets. The mechanism by which glyburide lowers blood glucose during long-term administration has not been clearly established. With chronic administration in patients with type 2 diabetes, the blood glucose-lowering effect persists despite a gradual decline in the insulin secretory response to the drug. Extrapancreatic effects may be involved in the mechanism of action of oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs.

Metformin hydrochloride is an antihyperglycemic agent that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. Metformin hydrochloride decreases hepatic glucose production, decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption and Bioavailability

Glucovance

In bioavailability studies of Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg and 5 mg/500 mg, the mean area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) for the glyburide component was 18% and 7%, respectively, greater than that of the Micronase® brand of glyburide coadministered with metformin. The glyburide component of Glucovance, therefore, is not bioequivalent to Micronase®. The metformin component of Glucovance is bioequivalent to metformin coadministered with glyburide.

Following administration of a single Glucovance 5 mg/500 mg tablet with either a 20% glucose solution or a 20% glucose solution with food, there was no effect of food on the Cmax and a relatively small effect of food on the AUC of the glyburide component. The Tmax for the glyburide component was shortened from 7.5 hours to 2.75 hours with food compared to the same tablet strength administered fasting with a 20% glucose solution. The clinical significance of an earlier Tmax for glyburide after food is not known. The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of the metformin component was indeterminate.

Glyburide

Single-dose studies with Micronase® tablets in normal subjects demonstrate significant absorption of glyburide within 1 hour, peak drug levels at about 4 hours, and low but detectable levels at 24 hours. Mean serum levels of glyburide, as reflected by areas under the serum concentration-time curve, increase in proportion to corresponding increases in dose. Bioequivalence has not been established between Glucovance and single-ingredient glyburide products.

Metformin Hydrochloride

The absolute bioavailability of a 500 mg metformin hydrochloride tablet given under fasting conditions is approximately 50% to 60%. Studies using single oral doses of metformin tablets of 500 mg and 1500 mg, and 850 mg to 2550 mg, indicate that there is a lack of dose proportionality with increasing doses, which is due to decreased absorption rather than an alteration in elimination. Food decreases the extent of and slightly delays the absorption of metformin, as shown by approximately a 40% lower peak concentration and a 25% lower AUC in plasma and a 35-minute prolongation of time to peak plasma concentration following administration of a single 850 mg tablet of metformin with food, compared to the same tablet strength administered fasting. The clinical relevance of these decreases is unknown.

Distribution

Glyburide

Sulfonylurea drugs are extensively bound to serum proteins. Displacement from protein binding sites by other drugs may lead to enhanced hypoglycemic action. In vitro, the protein binding exhibited by glyburide is predominantly non-ionic, whereas that of other sulfonylureas (chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, tolazamide) is predominantly ionic. Acidic drugs, such as phenylbutazone, warfarin, and salicylates, displace the ionic-binding sulfonylureas from serum proteins to a far greater extent than the non-ionic binding glyburide. It has not been shown that this difference in protein binding results in fewer drug-drug interactions with glyburide tablets in clinical use.

Metformin Hydrochloride

The apparent volume of distribution (V/F) of metformin following single oral doses of 850 mg averaged 654±358 L. Metformin is negligibly bound to plasma proteins. Metformin partitions into erythrocytes, most likely as a function of time. At usual clinical doses and dosing schedules of metformin, steady state plasma concentrations of metformin are reached within 24 to 48 hours and are generally <1 µg/mL. During controlled clinical trials, maximum metformin plasma levels did not exceed 5 µg/mL, even at maximum doses.

Metabolism and Elimination

Glyburide

The decrease of glyburide in the serum of normal healthy individuals is biphasic; the terminal half-life is about 10 hours. The major metabolite of glyburide is the 4-trans-hydroxy derivative. A second metabolite, the 3-cis-hydroxy derivative, also occurs. These metabolites probably contribute no significant hypoglycemic action in humans since they are only weakly active (1/400 and 1/40 as active, respectively, as glyburide) in rabbits. Glyburide is excreted as metabolites in the bile and urine, approximately 50% by each route. This dual excretory pathway is qualitatively different from that of other sulfonylureas, which are excreted primarily in the urine.

Metformin Hydrochloride

Intravenous single-dose studies in normal subjects demonstrate that metformin is excreted unchanged in the urine and does not undergo hepatic metabolism (no metabolites have been identified in humans) nor biliary excretion. Renal clearance (see Table 1) is approximately 3.5 times greater than creatinine clearance, which indicates that tubular secretion is the major route of metformin elimination. Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours. In blood, the elimination half-life is approximately 17.6 hours, suggesting that the erythrocyte mass may be a compartment of distribution.

Special Populations

Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Multiple-dose studies with glyburide in patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrate drug level concentration-time curves similar to single-dose studies, indicating no buildup of drug in tissue depots.

In the presence of normal renal function, there are no differences between single- or multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of metformin between patients with type 2 diabetes and normal subjects (see Table 1), nor is there any accumulation of metformin in either group at usual clinical doses.

Hepatic Insufficiency

No pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted in patients with hepatic insufficiency for either glyburide or metformin.

Renal Insufficiency

No information is available on the pharmacokinetics of glyburide in patients with renal insufficiency.

In patients with decreased renal function (based on creatinine clearance), the plasma and blood half-life of metformin is prolonged and the renal clearance is decreased in proportion to the decrease in creatinine clearance (see Table 1; also, see WARNINGS).

Geriatrics

There is no information on the pharmacokinetics of glyburide in elderly patients.

Limited data from controlled pharmacokinetic studies of metformin in healthy elderly subjects suggest that total plasma clearance is decreased, the half-life is prolonged, and Cmax is increased, when compared to healthy young subjects. From these data, it appears that the change in metformin pharmacokinetics with aging is primarily accounted for by a change in renal function (see Table 1). Metformin treatment should not be initiated in patients ≥80 years of age unless measurement of creatinine clearance demonstrates that renal function is not reduced.

Table 1: Select Mean (±SD) Metformin Pharmacokinetic Parameters Following Single or Multiple Oral Doses of Metformin

Subject Groups: Metformin Dosea (number of subjects)	Cmaxb (µg/mL)	Tmaxc (hrs)	Renal Clearance (mL/min)
a All doses given fasting except the first 18 doses of the multiple-dose studies
b Peak plasma concentration
c Time to peak plasma concentration
d SD=single dose
e Combined results (average means) of 5 studies: mean age 32 years (range 23-59 years)
f  Kinetic study done following dose 19, given fasting
g Elderly subjects, mean age 71 years (range 65-81 years)
h CLcr=creatinine clearance normalized to body surface area of 1.73 m2
Healthy, nondiabetic adults:
500 mg SDd (24)	1.03 (±0.33)	2.75 (±0.81)	600 (±132)
850 mg SD (74)e	1.60 (±0.38)	2.64 (±0.82)	552 (±139)
850 mg t.i.d. for 19 dosesf (9)	2.01 (±0.42)	1.79 (±0.94)	642 (±173)
Adults with type 2 diabetes:
850 mg SD (23)	1.48 (±0.5)	3.32 (±1.08)	491 (±138)
850 mg t.i.d. for 19 dosesf (9)	1.90 (±0.62)	2.01 (±1.22)	550 (±160)
Elderlyg, healthy nondiabetic adults:
850 mg SD (12)	2.45 (±0.70)	2.71 (±1.05)	412 (±98)
Renal-impaired adults: 850 mg SD
Mild (CLcrh 61-90 mL/min) (5)	1.86 (±0.52)	3.20 (±0.45)	384 (±122)
Moderate (CLcr 31-60 mL/min) (4)	4.12 (±1.83)	3.75 (±0.50)	108 (±57)
Severe (CLcr 10-30 mL/min) (6)	3.93 (±0.92)	4.01 (±1.10)	130 (±90)

Pediatrics

After administration of a single oral GLUCOPHAGE® (metformin hydrochloride) 500 mg tablet with food, geometric mean metformin Cmax and AUC differed <5% between pediatric type 2 diabetic patients (12-16 years of age) and gender- and weight-matched healthy adults (20-45 years of age), all with normal renal function.

After administration of a single oral Glucovance tablet with food, dose-normalized geometric mean glyburide Cmax and AUC in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes (11-16 years of age, n=28, mean body weight of 97 kg) differed <6% from historical values in healthy adults.

Gender

There is no information on the effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of glyburide.

Metformin pharmacokinetic parameters did not differ significantly in subjects with or without type 2 diabetes when analyzed according to gender (males=19, females=16). Similarly, in controlled clinical studies in patients with type 2 diabetes, the antihyperglycemic effect of metformin was comparable in males and females.

Race

No information is available on race differences in the pharmacokinetics of glyburide.

No studies of metformin pharmacokinetic parameters according to race have been performed. In controlled clinical studies of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, the antihyperglycemic effect was comparable in whites (n=249), blacks (n=51), and Hispanics (n=24).

Clinical Studies

Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control on Diet and Exercise Alone

In a 20-week, double-blind, multicenter U.S. clinical trial, a total of 806 drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes, whose hyperglycemia was not adequately controlled with diet and exercise alone (baseline fasting plasma glucose [FPG] <240 mg/dL, baseline hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] between 7% and 11%), were randomized to receive initial therapy with placebo, 2.5 mg glyburide, 500 mg metformin, Glucovance 1.25 mg/250 mg, or Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg. After 4 weeks, the dose was progressively increased (up to the 8-week visit) to a maximum of 4 tablets daily as needed to reach a target FPG of 126 mg/dL. Trial data at 20 weeks are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Placebo- and Active-Controlled Trial of Glucovance in Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control on Diet and Exercise Alone: Summary of Trial Data at 20 Weeks

	Placebo	Glyburide 2.5 mg tablets	Metformin 500 mg tablets	Glucovance 1.25 mg/250 mg tablets	Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg tablets
a p<0.001
b p<0.05
c p=NS
Mean Final Dose	0 mg	5.3 mg	1317 mg	2.78 mg/557 mg	4.1 mg/824 mg
Hemoglobin A1c	N=147	N=142	N=141	N=149	N=152
Baseline Mean (%)	8.14	8.14	8.23	8.22	8.20
Mean Change from Baseline	−0.21	−1.24	−1.03	−1.48	−1.53
Difference from Placebo		−1.02	−0.82	−1.26a	−1.31a
Difference from Glyburide				−0.24b	−0.29b
Difference from Metformin				−0.44b	−0.49b
Fasting Plasma Glucose	N=159	N=158	N=156	N=153	N=154
Baseline Mean FPG (mg/dL)	177.2	178.9	175.1	178	176.6
Mean Change from Baseline	4.6	−35.7	−21.2	−41.5	−40.1
Difference from Placebo		−40.3	−25.8	−46.1a	−44.7a
Difference from Glyburide				−5.8c	−4.5c
Difference from Metformin				−20.3c	−18.9c
Body Weight Mean Change from Baseline	−0.7 kg	+1.7 kg	−0.6 kg	+1.4 kg	+1.9 kg
Final HbA1c Distribution (%)	N=147	N=142	N=141	N=149	N=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%

Treatment with Glucovance resulted in significantly greater reduction in HbA1c and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) compared to glyburide, metformin, or placebo. Also, Glucovance therapy resulted in greater reduction in FPG compared to glyburide, metformin, or placebo, but the differences from glyburide and metformin did not reach statistical significance.

Changes in the lipid profile associated with Glucovance treatment were similar to those seen with glyburide, metformin, and placebo.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial described above restricted enrollment to patients with HbA1c <11% or FPG <240 mg/dL. Screened patients ineligible for the first trial because of HbA1c and/or FPG exceeding these limits were treated directly with Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg in an open-label, uncontrolled protocol. In this study, 3 out of 173 patients (1.7%) discontinued because of inadequate therapeutic response. Across the group of 144 patients who completed 26 weeks of treatment, mean HbA1c was reduced from a baseline of 10.6% to 7.1%. The mean baseline FPG was 283 mg/dL and reduced to 164 and 161 mg/dL after 2 and 26 weeks, respectively. The mean final titrated dose of Glucovance was 7.85 mg/1569 mg (equivalent to approximately 3 Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg tablets per day).

Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control on Sulfonylurea Alone

In a 16-week, double-blind, active-controlled U.S. clinical trial, 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 (eg, glyburide 10 mg, glipizide 20 mg) were randomized to receive glyburide (fixed dose, 20 mg), metformin (500 mg), Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg, or Glucovance 5 mg/500 mg. The doses of metformin and Glucovance were titrated to a maximum of 4 tablets daily as needed to achieve FPG <140 mg/dL. Trial data at 16 weeks are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3: Glucovance in Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control on Sulfonylurea Alone: Summary of Trial Data at 16 Weeks

	Glyburide 5 mg tablets	Metformin 500 mg tablets	Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg tablets	Glucovance 5 mg/500 mg tablets
a p<0.001
Mean Final Dose	20 mg	1840 mg	8.8 mg/1760 mg	17 mg/1740 mg
Hemoglobin A1c	N=158	N=142	N=154	N=159
Baseline Mean (%)	9.63	9.51	9.43	9.44
Final Mean	9.61	9.82	7.92	7.91
Difference from Glyburide			−1.69a	−1.70a
Difference from Metformin			−1.90a	−1.91a
Fasting Plasma Glucose	N=163	N=152	N=160	N=160
Baseline Mean (mg/dL)	218.4	213.4	212.2	210.2
Final Mean	221.0	233.8	169.6	161.1
Difference from Glyburide			−51.3a	−59.9a
Difference from Metformin			−64.2a	−72.7a
Body Weight Mean Change from Baseline	+0.43 kg	−2.76 kg	+0.75 kg	+0.47 kg
Final HbA1c Distribution (%)	N=158	N=142	N=154	N=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%

After 16 weeks, there was no significant change in the mean HbA1c in patients randomized to glyburide or metformin therapy. Treatment with Glucovance at doses up to 20 mg/2000 mg per day resulted in significant lowering of HbA1c, FPG, and PPG from baseline compared to glyburide or metformin alone.

Addition of Thiazolidinediones to Glucovance Therapy

In a 24-week, double-blind, multicenter U.S. clinical trial, patients with type 2 diabetes not adequately controlled on current oral antihyperglycemic therapy (either monotherapy or combination therapy) were first switched to open label Glucovance 2.5 mg/500 mg tablets and titrated to a maximum daily dose of 10 mg/2000 mg. A total of 365 patients inadequately controlled (HbA1c >7.0% and ≤10%) after 10 to 12 weeks of a daily Glucovance dose of at least 7.5 mg/1500 mg were randomized to receive add-on therapy with rosiglitazone 4 mg or placebo once daily. After 8 weeks, the rosiglitazone dose was increased to a maximum of 8 mg daily as needed to reach a target mean daily glucose of 126 mg/dL or HbA1c <7%. Trial data at 24 weeks or the last prior visit are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4: Effects of Adding Rosiglitazone or Placebo in Patients Treated with Glucovance in a 24-Week Trial

	Placebo + Glucovance	Rosiglitazone + Glucovance
a Adjusted for the baseline mean difference
b p<0.001
Mean Final Dose   Glucovance   Rosiglitazone	10 mg/1992 mg 0 mg	9.6 mg/1914 mg 7.4 mg
Hemoglobin A1c	N=178	N=177
Baseline Mean (%)	8.09	8.14
Final Mean	8.21	7.23
Difference from Placeboa		−1.02b
Fasting Plasma Glucose	N=181	N=176
Baseline Mean (mg/dL)	173.1	178.4
Final Mean	181.4	136.3
Difference from Placeboa		−48.5b
Body Weight Mean Change from Baseline	+0.03 kg	+3.03 kg
Final HbA1c Distribution (%)	N=178	N=177
<7%	13.5%	42.4%
≥7% and <8%	32.0%	38.4%
≥8%	54.5%	19.2%

For patients who did not achieve adequate glycemic control on Glucovance, the addition of rosiglitazone, compared to placebo, resulted in significant lowering of HbA1c and FPG.

Indications and Usage for Glucovance

Glucovance (Glyburide and Metformin HCl) Tablets is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Contraindications

Glucovance is contraindicated in patients with:

1. Renal disease or renal dysfunction (eg, as suggested by serum creatinine levels ≥1.5 mg/dL [males], ≥1.4 mg/dL [females], or abnormal creatinine clearance) which may also result from conditions such as cardiovascular collapse (shock), acute myocardial infarction, and septicemia (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).


2. Known hypersensitivity to metformin hydrochloride or glyburide.


3. Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma. Diabetic ketoacidosis should be treated with insulin.

Glucovance should be temporarily discontinued in patients undergoing radiologic studies involving intravascular administration of iodinated contrast materials, because use of such products may result in acute alteration of renal function. (See also PRECAUTIONS.)

Warnings

Metformin Hydrochloride

Lactic acidosis:

Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious, metabolic complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation during treatment with Glucovance (Glyburide and Metformin HCl) Tablets; when it occurs, it is fatal in approximately 50% of cases. Lactic acidosis may also occur in association with a number of pathophysiologic conditions, including diabetes mellitus, and whenever there is significant tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxemia. Lactic acidosis is characterized by elevated blood lactate levels (>5 mmol/L), decreased blood pH, electrolyte disturbances with an increased anion gap, and an increased lactate/pyruvate ratio. When metformin is implicated as the cause of lactic acidosis, metformin plasma levels >5 µg/mL are generally found.

The reported incidence of lactic acidosis in patients receiving metformin hydrochloride is very low (approximately 0.03 cases/1000 patient-years, with approximately 0.015 fatal cases/1000 patient-years). In more than 20,000 patient-years exposure to metformin in clinical trials, there were no reports of lactic acidosis. Reported cases have occurred primarily in diabetic patients with significant renal insufficiency, including both intrinsic renal disease and renal hypoperfusion, often in the setting of multiple concomitant medical/surgical problems and multiple concomitant medications. Patients with congestive heart failure requiring pharmacologic management, in particular those with unstable or acute congestive heart failure who are at risk of hypoperfusion and hypoxemia, are at increased risk of lactic acidosis. The risk of lactic acidosis increases with the degree of renal dysfunction and the patient's age. The risk of lactic acidosis may, therefore, be significantly decreased by regular monitoring of renal function in patients taking metformin and by use of the minimum effective dose of metformin. In particular, treatment of the elderly should be accompanied by careful monitoring of renal function. Glucovance treatment should not be initiated in patients ≥80 years of age unless measurement of creatinine clearance demonstrates that renal function is not reduced, as these patients are more susceptible to developing lactic acidosis. In addition, Glucovance should be promptly withheld in the presence of any condition associated with hypoxemia, dehydration, or sepsis. Because impaired hepatic function may significantly limit the ability to clear lactate, Glucovance should generally be avoided in patients with clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatic disease. Patients should be cautioned against excessive alcohol intake, either acute or chronic, when taking Glucovance, since alcohol potentiates the effects of metformin hydrochloride on lactate metabolism. In addition, Glucovance should be temporarily discontinued prior to any intravascular radiocontrast study and for any surgical procedure (see also PRECAUTIONS).

The onset of lactic acidosis often is subtle, and accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, increasing somnolence, and nonspecific abdominal distress. There may be associated hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias with more marked acidosis. The patient and the patient's physician must be aware of the possible importance of such symptoms and the patient should be instructed to notify the physician immediately if they occur (see also PRECAUTIONS). Glucovance should be withdrawn until the situation is clarified. Serum electrolytes, ketones, blood glucose, and if indicated, blood pH, lactate levels, and even blood metformin levels may be useful. Once a patient is stabilized on any dose level of Glucovance, gastrointestinal symptoms, which are common during initiation of therapy with metformin, are unlikely to be drug related. Later occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms could be due to lactic acidosis or other serious disease.

Levels of fasting venous plasma lactate above the upper limit of normal but less than 5 mmol/L in patients taking Glucovance do not necessarily indicate impending lactic acidosis and may be explainable by other mechanisms, such as poorly controlled diabetes or obesity, vigorous physical activity, or technical problems in sample handling. (See also PRECAUTIONS.)

Lactic acidosis should be suspected in any diabetic patient with metabolic acidosis lacking evidence of ketoacidosis (ketonuria and ketonemia).

Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital setting. In a patient with lactic acidosis who is taking Glucovance, the drug should be discontinued immediately and general supportive measures promptly instituted. Because metformin hydrochloride is dialyzable (with a clearance of up to 170 mL/min under good hemodynamic conditions), prompt hemodialysis is recommended to correct the acidosis and remove the accumulated metformin. Such management often results in prompt reversal of symptoms and recovery. (See also CONTRAINDICATIONS and PRECAUTIONS.)

SPECIAL WARNING ON INCREASED RISK OF 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 trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of glucose-lowering drugs in preventing or delaying vascular complications in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The study inv