Gliclazide
About Gliclazide
Gliclazide is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet and exercise alone cannot control blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disorder that affects the way our body processes glucose.
Gliclazide contains gliclazide, which works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. It stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas and decreases blood sugar levels. Gliclazide prevents the blood glucose level from rising, thus keeping your blood sugar level under control.
In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as 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.
Do not take Gliclazide if you are allergic to any of its components. 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
Medicinal Benefits
Gliclazide is a class of medications called sulfonylureas used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It works by decreasing raised blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release from the beta cells located in the pancreas (insulin-secreting organ). Thereby, it helps control blood sugar levels and prevents serious complications of diabetes like retinopathy (eyesight loss), nephropathy (kidney problems), neuropathy (nerve damage), diabetic foot ulcer and delayed wound healing.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gliclazide
- Stomach ache or indigestion
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
Drug Warnings
Do not take Gliclazide if you are allergic to any of its components, if you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic pre-coma or coma, severe liver or kidney disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. 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 haemolytic anaemia. 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. Let the doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
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'.
