Other Brands/Names

Diamicron, Diamicron MR, Fredam, Glicab, Glidabet, Glikamel, Glucored, Glucodex, Glukolos, Linodiab, Meltika, Nufamicron, Pedab, Tiaglib, Xepabet, Zumadiac.

How It Works

Gliclazide is an antidiabetic from the sulfonylurea class that helps in lowering blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. In diabetes mellitus, one of the problems that occurs is reduced insulin production by the pancreas, that will lead to increased blood sugar levels.

Insulin is a hormone that lowers and regulates blood glucose. Gliclazide increases insulin release from pancreatic beta cells and improves the body’s responsiveness to insulin, and these mechanism together will lower blood glucose in type 2 DM patients.

Indications

Gliclazide is prescribed to type 2 diabetic patients alongside healthy eating and physical activity, to lower blood glucose.

Contraindication

Because of its way of working, this medicine is not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus, where the pancreas no longer produces insulin. Other situations that prevent use include:

• Hypersensitivity or allergy to gliclazide or other sulfonylureas, such as glibenclamide and glimepiride.

   

• Diabetic coma and diabetic ketoacidosis, which are life-threatening diabetes complications.

   

• Severe hepatic or renal impairment.

   

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

   

• Currently on miconazole treatment.

Side Effects

The main adverse effects of sulfonylureas are hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and weight gain.

Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Decreased level of consciousness
• Poor concentration
• Tremors
• Confusion
• Seizures

Hypoglycemia is more likely when meals are delayed or skipped. People with diabetes should check their blood glucose regularly to determine whether levels are too low or too high.

Other possible side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Skin rash
• A burning sensation in the chest (heartburn)
• Abdominal discomfort
• Reduced blood cell count
• Liver dysfunction

Types

• Conventional tablets 80 mg
• Modified-release (MR) tablets 30 mg and 60 mg

Dosage

Conventional tablets:

• Initial dose: 40–80 mg once daily.
• The dose may be titrated up to a maximum of 320 mg per day.
• If more than 160 mg per day is required, divide the total into two doses.

Modified-release tablets:

• Initial dose: 30 mg once daily.
• The dose can be increased by 30 mg at 1-month intervals (or after 2 weeks if blood glucose has not improved).
• The maximum recommended dose is 120 mg per day.

Safety

Evidence during pregnancy is limited, and animal studies of gliclazide have shown developmental problems in the fetus. Therefore, gliclazide should not be taken by women during pregnancy.

Insulin is the first-line therapy for diabetes in pregnancy, so oral agents should be replaced with insulin injections during this period. Discuss this with your doctor.

It is not known whether gliclazide is excreted into breast milk, and there is a risk of hypoglycemia if it reaches the infant. For this reason, gliclazie is also contraindicated for breastfeeding mothers.

Drug Interactions

• There is an increase in the risk of hypoglycemia if glyclazide is consumed together:
  • Alcohol
  • Antihypertensive beta-blockers such as bisoprolol and ACE inhibitors such as captopril
  • Acid-reducing agents such as ranitidine
  • The antibiotic clarithromycin
  • NSAID analgesics such as mefenamic acid
  • Other antidiabetic medicines

• Gliclazide effectiveness may be reduced when taken with:
  
  • Danazol
  • Antipsychotic chlorpromazine
  • Corticosteroids
  • Barbiturate anticonvulsants
  • Oral contraceptives

• Concomitant use with warfarin may enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.

Looking for more information about other drugs? Click here!