Gliclazide
Brand name Diamicron
Used in the following combined preparations.
None
GENERAL INFORMATION
Gliclazide is an antidiabetic drug that lowers blood sugar by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas.
It is used to treat adult (maturity-onset) diabetes mellitus in conjunction with a balanced diet that limits carbohydrate and fat intake to promote weight loss.
Regular exercise is an important part of the treatment of diabetes.
QUICK REFERENCE
In conditions of severe illness, injury, stress, or surgery, the drug may lose its effectiveness, causing loss of diabetic control and necessitating the use of insulin injections. Adverse effects of gliclazide are generally mild. However, symptoms of poor diabetic control will occur if the dosage is not appropriate.
Drug group Oral antidiabetic druq.
Overdose danger rating High
Dependence rating Low
Prescription needed Yes
Available as generic No
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Your drug prescription is tailored for you. Do not alter dosage without checking with your doctor.
How taken
Tablets.
Frequency and timing of doses
1-2 x daily (in the morning and evening with a meal).
Dosage range
80-320mg daily.
Onset of effect
Within 1 hour.
Duration of action
12-24 hours.
Diet advice
An individualized, low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet must be maintained for the drug to be fully effective. Follow the advice of your doctor.
Storage
Keep in a closed container in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.
Missed dose
Take as soon as you remember with the next meal.
Stopping the drug
Do not stop the drug without consulting your doctor; stopping the drug may lead to worsening of the underlying condition.
OVERDOSE ACTION
Seek immediate medical advice in all cases. If early warning symptoms of excessively low blood sugar such as faintness, sweating, trembling, confusion, or headache occur, eat or drink something sugary at once. Take emergency action if fits or loss of consciousness occur.
See Drug poisoning emergency guide.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS
Serious adverse effects are rare. Dizziness, confusion, tremors, sweating, and weakness
may be signs of low blood sugar due to lack of food or too high a dose of gliclazide.
INTERACTIONS
General note
A variety of drugs may oppose the effect of gliclazide and thereby raise blood sugar levels. These include barbiturates, corticosteroids, birth-control pills, oestrogens, diuretics, rifampicin, and nicotinic acid. Other drugs increase the risk
of low blood sugar. These include warfarin, aspirin, antituberculous drugs, clofibrate, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), allopurinol, phenylbutazone, sulphinpyrazone, sulphonamides, and cimetidine.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Be sure to tell your doctor if:
You have or have recently had a serious trauma or infection.
You have long-term liver or kidney problems.
You have thyroid problems. You do not eat properly.
You are planning a pregnancy.
You have Addison’s disease.
You are taking other medications.
Pregnancy
Not recommended. May cause abnormally low blood sugar in the newborn baby. Insulin is generally substituted in pregnancy because it gives better diabetic control.
Breast-feeding
The drug passes into the breast milk and may cause low blood sugar in the baby. Discuss with your doctor.
Infants and children
Not prescribed.
Over 60
Signs of low blood sugar may be more difficult to recognize. Reduced dose may be necessary.
Driving and hazardous work
Do not undertake such activities until you know how the drug affects you because it can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion.
Alcohol
Avoid. Alcoholic drinks upset diabetic control and gliclazide may cause intolerance to alcohol.
Surgery and general anaesthetics
Notify your doctor or dentist that you are diabetic before undergoing any type of surgery.
PROLONGED USE
No problems expected.
Monitoring Regular testing of sugar levels in the blood and/or urine is required. Periodic assessment of the eyes, heart, and kidneys may also be advised.
