ZICLAM TABLET

Some diabetic patients taking ZICLAM TABLET may develop a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. In this condition, too much lactic acid is accumulated in the blood. So, your liver and kidney's proper functioning is required to eliminate excess lactic acid from the blood. You should not take ZICLAM TABLET if you have kidney disease, as measured by a blood test. ZICLAM TABLET may lower vitamin B12 levels, so try to have blood tests annual blood and vitamin. ZICLAM TABLET, when used with or without insulin, tends to lower the blood sugar level extremely. So, the doctor may reduce the dose of insulin. ZICLAM TABLET may lower your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), so an annual check-up of TSH is suggested.

Drug-Drug Interactions: ZICLAM TABLET may interact with insulin, high blood pressure-lowering pills (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine), water pills/diuretics (e.g. furosemide), heart failure-related medicines (e.g. digoxin), anti-hypertensive (e.g. metoprolol), steroids (e.g. prednisolone), thyroid hormones etc. So, tell your doctor if you are using these drugs before taking the ZICLAM TABLET.

Drug-Food Interactions: Taking ZICLAM TABLET with alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) and hypoglycaemia.

Drug-Disease Interactions: ZICLAM TABLET should be avoided in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney problems, liver problems, cardiovascular disease (heart-related issues), and low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia) as it may worsen the condition.

• Fill your half plate with starchy veggies, a quarter with proteins, and a quarter with whole grain.
• Eat at regular intervals. Do not take the long gap between a meal or snack.
• Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are a lot of fluctuations.
• Invest at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise weekly.
• Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
• Replace refined carbohydrates-containing foods with whole grain foods and increase intake of fruits, veggies, and other fibre-enriched foods.
• Reduce saturated fat intake (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits and samosas. Choose omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you may use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil.
• Do not take stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You may adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness, yoga or meditation to control pressure related to blood sugar changes.
• Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk and cheese etc.).
• Keep your blood pressure as normal (120/80) as possible as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.

• Keep taking the drug even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control. If you miss a dose, do not take a larger dose; consult your treating physician for advice. 
• Take short, frequent meals, and avoid prolonged fasting when taking this drug. Beware of hypoglycaemia symptoms, including sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination etc. Whenever you experience the symptoms mentioned above, immediately consume 5-6 candies or 3 glucose biscuits or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar and get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially for long travels. 
• Before the doctor prescribes this medicine, it is always better that your physician knows about any underlying conditions like kidney or liver disease, prior heart attack, alcohol intake, etc..
• Avoid drinking alcohol while on this drug as it increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (decrease in blood sugar which might be fatal in some cases) and lactic acidosis (when the lactic acid increases in the body, which impacts the functioning of various organs in the body).
• Try to quit smoking and reduce your intake of carbohydrate-rich food like potatoes, rice, mangoes, bread, sugar etc.
• Remember, lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.