Gliclazide
What It Is Used For
Gliclazide lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by helping the pancreas release more insulin. It is used with diet and exercise, alone or with other diabetes medicines.
How to Take It
Regular tablets: usually 40 mg to 80 mg a day with breakfast, increased by the doctor if needed; larger doses are split between breakfast and dinner. Modified-release (MR) tablets: usually 30 mg to 120 mg once a day with breakfast, swallowed whole. Do not skip meals after taking it.
Who Should Not Take It
Do not take it if you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe kidney or liver disease, if you are allergic to gliclazide or sulfonylureas, if you take miconazole, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Side Effects
The main risk is low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia): sweating, shaking, hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion or dizziness. Eat or drink something sugary at once and tell your doctor. Other effects: stomach upset, weight gain and skin rash.
Precautions
Low blood sugar is more likely in older people, if you miss meals, drink alcohol, exercise hard, or have kidney or liver problems. Check your blood sugar regularly.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Not recommended. Insulin is usually used instead; ask your doctor.
Interactions
Miconazole, fluconazole, some antibiotics, aspirin-type painkillers and alcohol can make sugar drop too low. Steroids can raise it. Beta-blockers can hide the warning signs of low sugar.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, out of the reach of children.
Checked by the Oshud Alo pharmacy team. For information only; follow your doctor's advice.
All brands of Gliclazide