Gliclazide
About Gliclazide
Gliclazide is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not produce enough insulin or when your body's insulin does not work as well as it should. It can also develop if the body produces too much glucagon.
Gliclazide contains gliclazide, which works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas and thus results in decreased blood sugar levels in the body.
Not everyone who is taking Gliclazide will get these side effects. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as stomach ache or indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, please consult your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Gliclazide should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. It is advised to take at the same time of the day each time for best results. For better advice, your doctor will determine the appropriate dose, which can change quickly depending on your condition. Do not skip your meals, and also carry a form of sugar with you to prevent low blood sugar levels.
Do not take Gliclazide if you are allergic to any of its components. Gliclazide should not be stopped even if you feel better without consulting your doctor, as sugar levels may change. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Gliclazide, as it might increase the side effects (hypoglycemia). Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Gliclazide
• Diabetes Management: Gliclazide is frequently prescribed to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• Cardiovascular Health: By enhancing blood sugar control, Gliclazide contributes to better cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart disease in diabetic patients.
• Improving Energy Levels: Stabilizing blood sugar levels with Gliclazide helps boost energy levels and supports overall well-being in those managing diabetes.
Medicinal Benefits
- Gliclazide is a class of medications called sulfonylureas, that works by decreasing raised blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release from the beta cells located in the pancreas (insulin-secreting organ).
- Gliclazide prevents the blood glucose level from rising, thus keeping your blood sugar level under control.
- Gliclazide plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar levels and prevents serious complications of diabetes like eyesight loss (retinopathy), kidney (nephropathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), diabetic foot ulcer and delayed wound healing.
Directions for Use
• Gliclazide should be taken with a meal. • Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication. • Swallow Gliclazide as a whole with a glass of water. • Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Gliclazide
- Stomach ache or indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Low blood sugar levels
Drug Warnings
Do not take Gliclazide if you are allergic to any of its components. Also this medicine is not recommended in conditions like type 1 diabetes, diabetic pre-coma or coma, severe liver or kidney disease. Inform the doctor if you have/had any medical history of heart, liver, and kidney diseases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (abnormality of red blood cells), and hemolytic anemia. Gliclazide, when used with insulin, may extremely lower the blood sugar level, leading to a hypoglycemic condition, which can be fatal.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for a pregnancy or breastfeeding before starting the treatment. Do not stop taking Gliclazide on your own since it may cause a rise in your blood sugar levels, leading to other health issues like blindness, kidney damage, and loss of limbs. Gliclazide should not be given in children as the safety is not established. Let the doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
Store Gliclazide at room temperature. You are advised not to chew, crush or break the medicine. Keep the medicine out of reach of children. Do not take more than the recommended dose of medicine, as it can cause undesirable effects. It is always important to check for the expiry of the medicine. Discard the medicine if it reaches the expiry date.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking medicines used to treat high blood sugar (oral antidiabetics, GLP-1 receptor agonists or insulin), antibacterial drugs (sulfonamides, clarithromycin), medications to treat high blood pressure or heart failure (captopril, enalapril), medicines to treat fungal infections (miconazole, fluconazole), drugs to treat indigestion and ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (ranitidine), medicines to treat depression (selegiline, phenelzine), painkillers or antirheumatics (ibuprofen, phenylbutazone), anti-inflammatory medications (hydrocortisone, prednisolone), blood thinner/anticoagulant medication (warfarin), and medicines containing alcohol.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have severe liver or kidney problems, severe thyroid or adrenal gland problems, or diabetic coma.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDo not consume alcohol while taking Gliclazide. Taking Gliclazide with alcohol can cause hypoglycemia.
Pregnancy
unsafeGliclazide is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeGliclazide is not recommended during lactation. Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionGliclazide may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). This may affect your ability to drive. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration or mental alertness.
Liver
cautionGliclazide may not be recommended for patients with severe liver disease. Consult the doctor if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions.
Kidney
cautionGliclazide may not be recommended for patients with severe kidney disease. Consult the doctor if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions.
Children
unsafeGliclazide is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness of have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Fill your half plate with starchy veggies, a quarter with proteins, and a quarter with whole grains.
- Eat at regular intervals. Do not take a long gap between meals or snacks.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, especially when there are a lot of fluctuations.
- Lose weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index ( 18.5 to 24.9)
- Reduce saturated fat intake 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, groundnut oil, mustard 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 stress-related blood sugar changes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that keeps the body from utilizing insulin properly. People affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or are resistant to insulin. Middle-aged or older people are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes; hence, it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes symptoms include frequent urination at night, increased thirst, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue and blurred vision. The complications of type 2 diabetes include nerve problems, kidney problems, damaged retina or blindness, loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an increased chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Gliclazide is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet and exercise alone cannot control blood sugar levels.
Gliclazide works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. It stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas and decreases blood sugar levels.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin as the islet cells (insulin-producing cells) in the pancreas are destroyed. In type 2 diabetes, though islet cells are working, the body does not respond to insulin as it becomes resistant to insulin.
Yes, Gliclazide can cause indigestion. Eat a proper well-balanced diet and drink plenty of fluid to avoid it.
In some cases, hypoglycemia or low blood sugar may occur. If you feel your blood sugar level is going down and feel weak, immediately eat sugar candies. It helps balance the blood sugar level in your body.
No. Gliclazide is only prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes also called as 'non-insulin-dependent diabetes'.
It is usually recommended to take Gliclazide in the morning with breakfast. If you are taking 2 doses of Gliclazide, take 1 at morning and 1 at night. Always follow your doctor's instructions for effective results.
The common side effects of Gliclazide are stomach ache or indigestion, feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, and constipation. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, please consult your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
The best time to take Gliclazide is before breakfast, or typically 30 minutes before the day's first meal. Taking Gliclazide at this time helps control blood sugar levels throughout the day. However, following your doctor's or pharmacist's specific instructions for taking your medication is essential.
No, Gliclazide and metformin are not the same. They are both used to manage type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways. Gliclazide belongs to a class of sulfonylureas, whereas metformin belongs to a class of biguanides. Both are effective, but they are prescribed to the patient's needs and conditions based on their mechanism.
Gliclazide can be taken together with metformin. Your doctor may recommend combining these medications based on your individual condition and needs to improve blood sugar control and reduce complication risks. Do not take them together unless your doctor advises you to do so.
Gliclazide is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns before using Gliclazide.
