Gliclazide+metformin
About Gliclazide+metformin
Gliclazide+metformin is a prescription medicine used to manage and treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It is prescribed to lower high blood sugar levels when diet, exercise, and single medications alone are not enough. Keeping your blood sugar controlled helps prevent serious health problems such as kidney damage, nerve issues, and vision loss.
For the best results, you must take Gliclazide+metformin regularly and consistently at the same times every day as directed by your doctor. You should take this medicine with meals to help reduce the risk of experiencing an upset stomach. Combining this treatment with regular physical activity and a balanced diet is crucial to achieving optimal blood sugar control.
Some people may experience common side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, or a metallic taste in the mouth. While these are usually mild, you must consult your doctor immediately if you experience signs of very low blood sugar, severe stomach pain, or unusual muscle fatigue.
Before you begin taking Gliclazide+metformin, talk to your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver damage, or heart failure. Do not take this medication if you have severe kidney failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, which increases the risk of a dangerous buildup of lactic acid, and smoking can make your diabetes harder to manage. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, you should consult your healthcare provider before using this medicine.
Uses of Gliclazide+metformin
• Type 2 Diabetes management: Gliclazide+metformin helps to manage type 2 diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels in adults. It works by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin.
• Lowering HbA1c (blood sugar)levels: Gliclazide+metformin helps to lower HbA1c (blood sugar)levels, indicating better long-term blood sugar control and reducing the risk of diabetes complications.
• Support complications of diabetes: Gliclazide+metformin helps manage diabetes complications such as kidney damage, blindness, and nerve damage by controlling blood sugar levels.
Medicinal Benefits
Gliclazide+metformin helps improve blood sugar control through complementary mechanisms that target multiple aspects of glucose regulation. The key benefits of Gliclazide+metformin include:
- Provides Comprehensive Blood Sugar Control: Helps manage blood sugar levels throughout the day and night by combining two different mechanisms of action.
- Reduces Blood Sugar Levels: Helps lower both fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels, supporting better overall glucose control.
- Protects Long-Term Health: Maintaining blood sugar within the target range may help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications affecting the kidneys, nerves, eyes, heart, and blood vessels.
- Supports Treatment Adherence: Combining two medicines into a single tablet may make treatment more convenient and easier to follow consistently.
Directions for Use
To get the maximum benefit from treatment with Gliclazide+metformin, follow these instructions carefully:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet, as this can affect how the medicine is released into your body.
- Take this medicine with food, usually with your morning or evening meal, to help prevent stomach upset.
- Try to take your dose at the same time every day to establish a routine and maintain steady medicine levels in your body.
Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding how and when to take your medication. Do not change your dose or stop taking it without consulting them first.
Storage
Side Effects of Gliclazide+metformin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or loss of appetite
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Mild headache or dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) such as sudden sweating, shaking, pale skin, extreme hunger, or confusion
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction, including skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Severe tiredness, deep or rapid breathing, muscle pain, or feeling unusually cold (which can be signs of lactic acid buildup in the blood)
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes (signs of liver damage)
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol may increase the risk of low blood sugar and lactic acidosis while taking Gliclazide+metformin.
- Inform Healthcare Providers Before Procedures: Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for surgery or imaging tests involving contrast dye, as temporary interruption of treatment may be required.
- Monitor More Closely During Illness: Blood sugar levels may fluctuate during periods of illness, infection, injury, or significant stress, and additional monitoring may be needed.
- Carry Medical Identification: Keep a diabetes identification card or medical alert bracelet with you in case of emergencies.
- Check Your Feet Regularly: Inspect your feet for cuts, blisters, redness, or sores and seek medical advice if you notice any changes.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Gliclazide+metformin:
- Beta-blockers: May hide the warning signs of low blood sugar (such as a fast heartbeat or palpitations).
- Steroid medicines (corticosteroids): Can increase blood sugar levels, reducing the effectiveness of Gliclazide+metformin.
- Diuretics (water pills): May raise blood sugar levels and require your dose to be adjusted.
- Other diabetes medications: Combined use may increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Drug-Food Interactions
- Alcohol: Can interact with Gliclazide+metformin to increase the risk of severe low blood sugar and a rare, serious condition called lactic acidosis.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Gliclazide+metformin, as it may worsen your condition or require closer monitoring:
- Severe Kidney Disease: Do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney impairment, as it can cause the medication to build up in your body. Your doctor may monitor your kidney function regularly and adjust treatment as needed, particularly if you are older or have declining kidney function.
- Liver Damage: May increase the risk of lactic acidosis and make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar.
- Severe Infections or Dehydration: Can increase the risk of lactic acidosis; your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop taking the medicine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Gliclazide+metformin to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionLet your doctor know if you are a nursing mother before taking Gliclazide+metformin; your doctor will decide whether Gliclazide+metformin can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionGliclazide+metformin may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), whose symptoms include unusual sleepiness, shivering, palpitations, sweating etc. This may affect your ability to drive. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
Liver
cautionTell your doctor before prescribing the Gliclazide+metformin if you have a history of liver disease. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current liver conditions.
Kidney
cautionTell your doctor before receiving the Gliclazide+metformin if you have a history of kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Children
unsafeThe safety and efficacy of Gliclazide+metformin in children have not been established. Gliclazide+metformin is not recommended in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat Regular Balanced Meals: Consume meals at consistent times and avoid skipping meals, as this helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of low blood sugar.
- Stay Physically Active: Engage in regular activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling to support healthy blood sugar control and overall well-being.
- Monitor Your Diabetes Regularly: Keep track of your blood sugar readings and attend routine check-ups, including HbA1c testing, to help assess your long-term diabetes management.
- Be Prepared for Low Blood Sugar: Carry a fast-acting source of sugar, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard sweets, in case symptoms of hypoglycaemia occur.
- Stay Well-Hydrated: Drink adequate fluids throughout the day to support overall health and help maintain normal body functions.
Special Advise
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.
Remember, lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is a condition in which either the body stops producing enough insulin (the hormone which helps to decrease sugar levels in the blood) or there is resistance to the action of insulin. As a result, excessive insulin is produced but it fails to act on the organs of the body. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include feeling exhausted all time, feeling thirsty, having blurry vision, and urge to urinate (pee) more often. Complications of type 2 diabetes include skin infection, eye problems (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), delayed wound healing, diabetic foot (foot ulcer), kidney disease (nephropathy), high blood pressure, and even stroke. Both low and high blood sugar levels can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible. Your H1bA1C below 5.7% is normal, 5.7-6.4% confirms the prediabetes stage, and 6.5% or greater states diabetes condition.
FAQs
Gliclazide+metformin is used to treat Type 2 diabetes.
Gliclazide+metformin is a combination of two anti-diabetic drugs: Gliclazide and‚ Metformin. Gliclazide works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. On the other hand, Metformin works by lowering the glucose production in the liver, delaying glucose absorption from the intestines and increasing the body's response to insulin. In a nutshell, the two medicines prevent blood glucose levels from rising to very high levels, thus keeping your diabetes under control.
Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels and it is one of the side effects of Gliclazide+metformin. Hypoglycemia can occur if you miss or delay your food, drink alcohol, over-exercise or take other antidiabetic medicine along with this medicine. It is important to regularly monitor blood sugar levels.
No, Gliclazide+metformin should not be used with other anti-diabetic medications as it may cause hypoglycemia (lowering of blood sugar level).
If you feel thirsty after taking Gliclazide+metformin, it may be because of dehydration as Gliclazide+metformin can lead to loss of fluids. Increase intake of fluids, if even then you feel thirsty please consult your doctor.
Yes, long-term usage of Gliclazide+metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency as it interferes with the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, nerve problems, tingling sensation and numbness in hands and feet, weakness, urinary problems, affect mental status, and difficulty in maintaining balance. These symptoms can be managed by taking Vitamin B12 supplements as advised by your doctor.
If you have symptoms like increased hunger, increased thirst, frequent urination (usually at night), unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound/sores healing, and frequent infections, contact doctor as it can be a condition of type 2 diabetes.
If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, such as sweating, shaking, dizziness, weakness, hunger, or confusion, immediately consume a fast-acting source of sugar such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, non-diet soft drinks, sugar candies, or sugar dissolved in water. Monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if they do not improve or worsen.
Type-2 diabetes generally does not affect healthy children and teens, but it may affect children who are obese, which is also known as Childhood Obesity.
Include a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat, oats, barley, and quinoa. Non-fat or low-fat dairy and proteins like chicken, lean meats, nuts, beans, tofu, lentils, eggs, fish, and turkey can also be included.
Cut back on foods high in sodium, alcohol, fried foods, and high-carb food and drinks like sugary drinks, drinks with added sugar, white rice and starchy vegetables.
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may occur because you inject too much insulin, miss or delay meals, do not eat enough, eat food containing less carbohydrate than normal, drink alcohol, lose carbohydrates due to vomiting or diarrhoea, do more exercise than usual or a different type of physical activity, are recovering from an injury, illness, operation or stress, or are taking/have stopped taking other medicines.
Gliclazide+metformin is an anti-diabetic medicine used to treat type-2 diabetes.
Possible side effects of Gliclazide+metformin are low blood sugar, taste change, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, and upper respiratory symptoms. Consult the doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Yes, Gliclazide+metformin can rarely cause lactic acidosis, a serious medical emergency caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. The risk is higher in people with kidney disease, liver disease, severe dehydration, or excessive alcohol consumption. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as muscle pain, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, severe fatigue, vomiting, or reduced body temperature.
Gliclazide+metformin should not be taken by people who are allergic to any of its components, people having severe kidney disease or diabetic ketoacidosis.
No, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Gliclazide+metformin. Alcohol can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and may also increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare but serious medical condition associated with metformin. Consult your doctor for personalised advice regarding alcohol consumption.
Gliclazide+metformin may not be recommended for children as the safety and efficacy have not been established. Please consult the doctor.
Overdose may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Seek medical attention if you have overdosed on Gliclazide+metformin.
Gliclazide+metformin contains two medicines that can affect body weight differently. Metformin may help with weight maintenance or modest weight loss in some people, while gliclazide may cause mild weight gain. Maintaining a balanced diet and regular physical activity can help support healthy weight management during treatment. Discuss weight management goals and dietary tips with your doctor.
Yes, it is highly recommended to take Gliclazide+metformin with meals. Taking this medicine with food helps reduce common digestive side effects, such as nausea, stomach upset, or diarrhoea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best timing for your doses.
Gliclazide+metformin is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Managing blood sugar during these times is critical, and alternative treatments are usually prescribed. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
This medicine starts working to lower your blood sugar within a few hours of taking it, but it may take several weeks of consistent use, alongside diet and exercise changes, to see the full clinical effect on your long-term blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor for regular monitoring.
No, you should not stop taking Gliclazide+metformin without consulting your doctor, even if your blood sugar levels have normalised. This medicine controls your diabetes but does not cure it, and stopping it abruptly can cause your blood sugar to rise sharply again. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
