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Gliclazide: Uses, How It Works, Medicines

Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം ਪੰਜਾਬੀ

Gliclazide is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It helps the pancreas release more insulin, which lowers blood sugar. In India it is a prescription medicine, used together with the diet and activity plan your doctor gives you.

Also known as: Gliclazide 30 mg, Gliclazide MR, Gliclazide modified release, Gliclazide IP, Sulfonylurea, Diabetes tablet

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Gliclazide at a glance. Used for: Type 2 diabetes in adults. Ask a doctor first: Severe kidney or liver disease, Skipped meals or alcohol use, Other diabetes medicines or insulin, Antibiotics or antifungal medicines, Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Get medical help quickly for: Severe low blood sugar: confusion, fits or fainting, Swelling of the face, lips or throat, Yellow skin or eyes. Taking too much: If someone takes much more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital, even if they feel well. Dose: follow the label or your doctor's advice.

How does Gliclazide work?

Gliclazide makes the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas release more insulin, and more insulin helps the body move sugar out of the blood. Modified-release tablets let the medicine out slowly over the day.

How to take Gliclazide

Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Gliclazide is usually taken once or twice a day with a meal, and the dose is set by your doctor and may be changed over several weeks. Do not skip meals, and do not stop it without talking to your doctor.

Side effects of Gliclazide

Most people take this medicine without serious problems. Some effects are mild, but a few need medical help.

Uncommon or mild

  • Low blood sugar: dizziness, shaking, sweating, intense hunger, nausea, tiredness
  • Stomach pain or diarrhoea
  • Weight gain

Rare but serious: get medical help

  • Severe low blood sugar: confusion, fits or loss of consciousness. Get emergency medical help
  • Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a severe rash (allergic reaction)
  • Yellow skin or eyes (liver problems)
  • Easy bruising, bleeding or fever (blood count changes)

Who should be careful

Some people need to check with a doctor before taking it, or need extra care while taking it. Tell every doctor, dentist and hospital that you take it.

When the label says not to use it

  • Allergy to gliclazide or similar medicines
  • Type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Severe kidney or liver disease
  • Acute porphyria
  • Skipping meals, alcohol, hard exercise, older age, kidney or liver problems: low blood sugar becomes more likely
  • Severe kidney or liver disease, or acute porphyria: usually not suitable
  • Illness with vomiting, diarrhoea or fever: contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice about your diabetes medicines. Do not stop on your own unless told
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not usually used; your doctor may suggest another treatment

Medicines and things that interact with Gliclazide

This medicine can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies.

  • Other diabetes medicines and insulin: low blood sugar becomes more likely
  • Antibiotics such as clarithromycin and antifungal medicines such as fluconazole or miconazole: they can strengthen its effect
  • Beta-blockers and some other blood pressure or heart medicines: they can hide the signs of low blood sugar
  • Steroids, thiazide water tablets and oestrogens: they can raise blood sugar

Effects on lab tests

  • Blood sugar and HbA1c tests: used to check how well the diabetes is controlled

If someone takes too much

Taking much more than prescribed is a medical matter. If someone has taken too much, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you.

Regulatory status in India

Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine. Single-ingredient gliclazide is not on the CDSCO list of banned medicines, but several fixed-dose combinations that include it (with pioglitazone, metformin or other ingredients) have been prohibited under section 26A, so check the ingredient list on the pack.

Type of medicine

Gliclazide belongs to this type of medicine.

Medicines that contain Gliclazide

These medicines sold in India contain Gliclazide. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.

What is Gliclazide used for?

Medicines that contain Gliclazide are used for these conditions.

Other medicines of the same type

These active ingredients are of the same type as Gliclazide.

Common questions

Is Gliclazide a medicine for sugar (diabetes)?

Yes. Gliclazide is used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and activity. It is a prescription medicine, so do not start, stop or change it without your doctor's advice.

Why can gliclazide cause low blood sugar?

It makes the pancreas release insulin even when blood sugar is not high. Skipping a meal, alcohol, hard exercise or other diabetes medicines make low blood sugar more likely. Know the warning signs and follow your doctor's plan.

Sources

  1. Gliclazide: a medicine for type 2 diabetes. NHS (UK)
  2. Type 2 diabetes: treatment. NHS (UK)
  3. List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  4. National Formulary of India. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission