Gliclazide

About gliclazide

Insulin is a hormone that is made naturally in your body, in the pancreas. It helps to control the levels of sugar in your blood. If your body does not make enough insulin to meet its needs, or if it does not use the insulin it makes effectively, this results in the condition called diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

People with diabetes need treatment to control the amount of sugar in their blood. This is because good control of blood sugar (glucose) reduces the risk of complications later on. Some people can control the sugar in their blood by making changes to the food they eat but for other people, medicines like gliclazide are given alongside the changes in diet.

Gliclazide works by increasing the amount of insulin that your pancreas produces. It can be given on its own or alongside other antidiabetic medicines or insulin.

Before taking gliclazide

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking gliclazide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.

• If you have kidney or liver problems.

• If you have been told you have porphyria or glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. These are rare inherited disorders.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take gliclazide

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about gliclazide and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take gliclazide exactly as your doctor has told you. It is usually recommended that you take it once a day with breakfast. Some people who need to take higher doses may be asked to split their dose and take tablets twice a day. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you which is right for you, and your dose will also be on the label of the pack to remind you.

• If you have been given a modified-release form of gliclazide tablet (these usually have 'MR' after the tablet name), they should be swallowed whole. Do not break or crush the tablets, as they are specially coated to allow the medicine to be released slowly and evenly over the day.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose - do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• It is important that you keep your regular doctor's and clinic appointments. This is so your progress can be monitored. You are likely to need regular check-ups with an eye clinic and a foot clinic as well as with your doctor and diabetes clinic.

• Your doctor may recommend that you test for sugar (glucose) in your blood regularly to check that your diabetes is being controlled. Your doctor or diabetes nurse will show you how to do this.

• If you have been given advice by your doctor about changes to your diet, stopping smoking or taking regular exercise, it is important for you to follow the advice you have been given.

• Make sure you know what it feels like if your blood sugar is too low. This is known as hypoglycaemia, or a 'hypo'. The first signs of hypoglycaemia are feeling shaky or anxious, sweating, looking pale, feeling hungry, having a feeling that your heart is pounding (palpitations), and feeling dizzy. If this happens, eat something containing sugar, such as dextrose tablets, or sugary sweets or drinks (non-diet), and then follow this up with a snack such as a sandwich or a banana.

• Hypoglycaemia may occur if you miss a meal, if you exercise more than usual, if you are ill, or if you drink a lot of alcohol.

• If you are a driver you should take special care, as your ability to concentrate may be affected if your diabetes is not well controlled. You may be advised to check your blood sugar levels before you travel and to have a snack with you on long journeys.

• Drivers in the UK may need to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they experience an episode of severe hypoglycaemia or experience a 'hypo' whilst driving. Ask your doctor for advice. Drivers in other countries should contact the relevant vehicle licensing agency.

• Check with your doctor before taking up any new physical exercise, as this will have an effect on your blood sugar levels and you may need to check your blood levels more regularly.

• Drinking alcohol is not advisable with gliclazide. If you do have a drink, keep well within the recommended alcohol limits, as alcohol will affect the control of your blood sugar.

• If you become unusually thirsty, pass urine more frequently, and feel very tired, then let your doctor know. Your dose of gliclazide may need adjusting.

• Treatment for diabetes is lifelong. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, you should tell the person carrying out the treatment that you have diabetes and are taking gliclazide.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. This is because some medicines may interfere with gliclazide.

Can gliclazide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with gliclazide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store gliclazide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
  

Important information about all medicines