Hi,

My dad just started taking glibenclamide for his recently diagnosed diabetes 2 days ago. When they checked his glucose levels just this last thursday (date of diagnosis) it was at 12. They checked it again today and it had gone down to 5. However, today, the doctor prescribed Metformin for him to start taking with his glibenclamide. He has taken about two and he is getting really week, his heart rate is also really fast.

Should he only take glibenclamide only and stop taking the Metformin, is it safe to take only 1 drug? I've heared and read horror stories about Avandia (Metformin) in the media and online. My dad is very overweight. What does the fast heart rate mean? Hypoglycemia perhaps or just a side effect of the drug (Metformin is associated with lactic acidosis which slows the heart rate so his rapid heart rate is confusing)? Or do all new diagnosis diabetes patients go through this when they start taking new meds?

He has, at this point gone cold turkey on sugar.. as you can see from my many questions, I am quite confused and any light you can shed would help a great deal.

Thank you