Diabetes mellitus takes on the scale of the real problem: in recent years, statistics confirm that the number of patients is increasing. There are two types of disease: insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent. With the second type, endocrinologists recommend taking metformin-based drugs - these are carbohydrate blockers that can help the patient control their glycemia levels, as well as maintain their well-being if they deviate from the diet plan. One of the popular drugs with metformin is Glucovans. Analogues of the drug, as well as the principle of their action, contraindications and side effects are discussed in the article.
Composition, principle of action and indications for use
Glucovans is a drug whose main active ingredients are metformin and glibenclamide. It belongs to the class of combined hypoglycemic drugs that were developed for use as part of complex therapy for people with diabetes mellitus of the second form (non-insulin-dependent type of disease). Release form - tablets for oral administration. The package contains two or four blisters, each of which contains 10 or 15 tablets. Depending on the number of tablets in the package, the cost varies from 280 to 400 rubles.
The principle of the drug’s action can be described in simple words: when taken with food, it helps to slow down or partially absorb carbohydrates, as a result of which an unwanted surge of hormones in the blood can be avoided. The main active component of the drug metformin is included in the pharmacological group of biguanides, as evidenced by the instructions for use. Glucovans analogues are effective due to the same substance. Therefore, it makes sense to experiment with the selection of a suitable drug for yourself from a cheaper price category, but with the same components in the composition.
For metformin (which is the main active ingredient also for numerous Glucovans analogues), three principles of exposure to the body are characteristic:
- decreased liver glucose production by inhibiting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis;
- increased insulin sensitivity of peripheral receptors, consumption and utilization of glucose by muscle cells;
- delayed absorption of glucose in the digestive tract.
Due to this complex effect, the drug has proven itself in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus - both as an independent tool and as a supportive therapy (it can be used in parallel with other drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements after the approval of the course of treatment by the attending endocrinologist).
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is the real "plague" of our time. Endocrinologists are sounding the alarm: in recent years, cases of insulin-dependent type diabetes mellitus among adolescents have become more frequent. About fifty years ago, this disease was diagnosed, as a rule, only in people (mainly women) older than 50 years. In most cases, the causes of its development are poor nutrition for many years, malfunctions of the pancreas, severe nervous shocks and prolonged chronic stress.
It makes sense to use the drug if the patient does not receive insulin by injection. It does not matter whether a person with diabetes adheres to a special low-carb diet or not, the Glucovans 5500 and analogues with the same amount of metformin in the composition with regular intake will allow to achieve minimal absorption of carbohydrates. Of course, taking such drugs is not an indulgence in licentiousness in terms of food. Even against the background of pharmacological therapy, the patient must adhere to the rules of low-carb nutrition. However, endocrinologists usually warn their patients that the analogues of Glucovans with metformin in the composition make it possible to not follow the diet so strictly, without fearing the consequences of poor health and sudden surges in sugar. But do not rely too much on the effect of the drug - the amount of carbohydrates consumed with food will have to be reduced in any case.
Contraindications and recommended dosage
The instruction for use reports that there are the following contraindications for taking Glucovans tablets:
- type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- chronic renal failure and other pathologies of the kidneys (nephrologist consultation required);
- period of pregnancy, lactation;
- recovery period after surgery;
- chronic alcoholism, the period of alcohol withdrawal;
- dehydration, a period of severe infectious diseases;
- chronic liver disease (reception is possible after consultation with a hepatologist).
Glucovans 500 and analogues of this drug affect the absorption of carbohydrates, therefore, even with a single dose, they can provoke deterioration in patients with liver and kidney diseases. Self-administration of the drug is not possible - despite the fact that it is sold without a prescription and anyone can buy it, you should undergo an examination of the internal organs before taking it and be sure to consult with an endocrinologist. It is often not easy to find the dosage suitable for the patient - one tablet per day is enough for someone, and three will not be enough for someone. The optimal dosage depends on the individual characteristics of the body - weight, gender, age, blood test result.
Side effects when taking "Glucovans"
Almost all patients report a deterioration in appetite in the first week of treatment, mild nausea, and digestive upset. After a week of regular intake, after the body adapts to the correction of carbohydrate absorption, these side effects disappear. If they continue to pursue the patient - should discuss with the doctor who prescribed the drug, the appropriateness of its further administration.
The metabolic disorder characteristic of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can be accompanied by hypoglycemia, attacks of liver or skin porphyria, lactic acidosis, and so on. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether this is a side effect of taking the drug or a characteristic condition.
A side effect of taking the drug "Glucovans" (instructions for substitutes indicate similar side effects) is a violation of taste. This paradox is due to the fact that with a change in metabolism, the functioning of the nervous system is also affected. Changes in the taste of foods tend to get smaller by the second or third week of administration. Deviations in the functions of the organs of vision, gastrointestinal tract, skin and subcutaneous tissue are also not excluded.
List of analogues by the principle of operation
Analogs and substitutes for the drug "Glucovans", which also contain metformin as the main active substance:
- Galvus Met;
- Siofor;
- "Glucophage";
- Glibomet;
- Gluconorm;
- Amaril M
All of these drugs have the same principle of action - they reduce the absorption of carbohydrates, so that the patient begins to feel better, craving for simple carbohydrates decreases, it becomes easier to keep a diet, and blood sugar levels normalize.
The cheapest analogue of Glucovans tablets is Metformin. However, in pharmacies it is quite difficult to find. Even if it is available, pharmacists prefer to dispense more expensive analogues.
Galvus Met: instructions for use and reviews on the analogue of Glucovans
The price of the drug is about 1300 rubles per pack. Galvus Met is more expensive, because in addition to metformin, vildagliptin is also included. These are two hypoglycemic components that have a slightly different effect. In particular, vildagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. Together with metformin, this substance leads to a prolonged decrease in glucose concentration. Most patients with type 2 diabetes need only take one tablet per day, while Glucovans should be taken several times a day.
Therefore, the high price is justified: as a result, the Galvus Met method is often more economical than the Glucovans method. Reviews about the tool "Galvus Met" are different. Much depends on how strictly a person follows a diet. Most reviews are still positive: patients emphasize that, thanks to regular drug intake, they were able to restore normal blood glucose levels. It is, of course, in most cases elevated, but stable, as a result of which patients feel cheerful, efficient and do not suffer from dizziness, nausea and other manifestations of the disease.
"Siofor": instructions for use, contraindications and reviews
Siofor is another popular analogue of Glucovans 5 500. Instructions for use with Siofor informs that the main active ingredient is metformin hydrochloride. The cost of packaging "Siofora" is about 250 rubles. The drug is produced by the German pharmaceutical company Berlin-Chemie.
Indications for use - type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug, like the above medicines, is a carbohydrate blocker. This is a full-fledged analogue of Glucovans. Their prices are about the same, but many patients prefer Siofor - judging by the reviews, they like this drug more. Patients emphasize that Siofor is better tolerated - it does not cause nausea and digestive upset even in the first week of admission. In addition, compared to Glucovans, when taking Siofor, the taste of food does not change and side effects from the nervous system are practically not disturbed.
As for the contraindications for admission, then at Siofor they are exactly the same as at Glukovans: this is type 1 diabetes mellitus, renal and hepatic insufficiency, porphyria, pregnancy and lactation. Before using the drug, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist or therapist about the appropriateness of therapy and find out the recommended dosage (it is individual depending on the parameters of blood tests, age, weight, etc.).
Glibomet - a popular analogue with metformin in the composition
Another popular analogue of Glucovans is Glibomet, the main active component of which is metformin. The composition also includes glibenclamide. The cost of the drug is about 300 rubles. The pharmacological action of Glybomet is hypoglycemic. Due to the content of 2.6 mg of glibenclomide in one tablet, the drug also has a hypolipedic effect. This is the Russian analogue of Glucovans with the addition of additional active substance.
The drug is prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. In parallel, you should adhere to a low-carb diet, try to avoid stress and nervous shocks. An important condition: while taking the drug, you should try to avoid the use of alcoholic beverages, since almost all of them contribute to jumps in blood glucose, as a result of which drug therapy can not only not help, but even harm.
The list of contraindications for taking "Glibomet" is much larger than for taking "Glyukovans". Before you start taking, you should carefully read the instructions. The recommended dosage should be consulted with the attending endocrinologist: if the dosage is exceeded, the patient expects a full "bouquet" of side effects.
Reviews of patients who used this drug as an independent tool indicate that it gives much less side effects. As part of complex therapy, "Glibomet" can give a rather unpredictable effect. Patient reviews report that nausea, lack of appetite, and digestive upset are the most common side effects. Approximately from the second or third week of admission, subject to a parallel diet, the drug allows you to even out blood glucose.
Gluconorm or Glucovans: difference in composition and patient reviews
"Gluconorm" has proven itself in the case of previous treatment with glibenclamide or metformin, a long, unsuccessful stay on a low-carb diet.
The difference in the composition of the preparations is that Gluconorm, in addition to metformin, also contains glibenclamide. Thanks to this, the drug has not only a hypoglycemic, but also a hypolipedic effect.
Reviews about the drug are positive: patients note a relatively low manifestation of side effects and high tolerance. Nausea and digestive upset during the reception almost never occur, judging by the reviews. Another advantage of the drug is the price. The Glucovans 5,500 analogue, which has an additional hypolipedic effect, and at the same time costs a little cheaper, is, according to patients, an excellent option for long-term treatment.
Take "Gluconorm" should courses for a period of several months, in parallel to monitor blood glucose and regularly consult with your endocrinologist. Independent, uncontrolled administration of the drug can lead to the development of side effects and worsen the clinical picture.
Amaril M as a substitute and analogue of Glucovans
This is a French drug with metformin and glimepiride in the composition. It has the same effect as Glucovans, indications for use and contraindications. In some cases, it is advisable to add Amaril M to the complex therapy, for some patients it is sufficient to take this drug alone. Before use, you must consult an endocrinologist to avoid the development of side effects. It is forbidden to prescribe "Amaryl M" on your own and to establish a dosage.
For maximum therapeutic effect, Amaril M should be taken with a low-carb diet. This is the key to success. All patients with type 2 diabetes should change their diet, otherwise none, even the most modern carbohydrate blocker, will help stabilize glucose levels.