Gliclazide brands and prices in Pakistan

About Gliclazide

Gliclazide is a diabetes tablet from the sulfonylurea group. It lowers high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes by helping the pancreas make more insulin and helping that insulin work better. It is a prescription medicine. It comes as standard tablets and slow-release tablets, and it can be used on its own or with other diabetes medicines. WHO lists it as an essential medicine for type 2 diabetes.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not take it if you are allergic to gliclazide, other sulfonylureas, or related sulfonamide (sulpha) medicines.
• Do not take it if you have type 1 diabetes, severe kidney or liver disease, or acute porphyria (a rare inherited blood condition).
• Do not take it if you are taking miconazole (an antifungal medicine).
• Pregnancy: it is not usually used. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or think you might be pregnant, as another treatment may be better.
• Breastfeeding: it should not be taken while breastfeeding. Your doctor can suggest another medicine.
• Children and teenagers: sources differ. NHS says it can be used from age 12, Diabetes UK describes it for adults, and the UK medicine leaflet does not recommend it for children and teenagers. A doctor will decide.
• Older people may not notice the warning signs of a hypo as easily, especially if they take beta blockers or medicines that act on the brain.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, or problems with your thyroid, pituitary or adrenal glands, as these can raise the risk of hypos.
• Tell your doctor if you are going to have an operation, or if you have a serious illness, injury or fever. Your doctor may stop gliclazide for a short time or switch you to insulin.
• The tablets may contain lactose. If you have been told you cannot digest some sugars, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Other diabetes medicines, including insulin, which raise the risk of low blood sugar
• Weight-loss medicines such as semaglutide or tirzepatide
• Miconazole (must not be taken with gliclazide) and fluconazole (antifungals)
• Some antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, sulfonamides and fluoroquinolones. These can cause low, and sometimes high, blood sugar, especially in older people
• Some blood pressure and heart medicines, such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors (for example captopril or enalapril)
• Stomach ulcer medicines called H2 blockers
• MAOI antidepressants
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and phenylbutazone
• Warfarin and other blood thinners
• Medicines that can raise blood sugar: steroids, chlorpromazine, danazol, and salbutamol, terbutaline or ritodrine given by drip
• St John's wort (a herbal remedy), which can make gliclazide work less well
• Alcohol, including medicines that contain alcohol

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew them.
• Do not skip or delay meals, and follow the eating advice from your diabetes team, to lower the risk of a hypo.
• Always carry glucose tablets, sugar or a sugary drink. If you have a hypo, take something sugary straight away, then a snack or meal. Sweeteners do not work for a hypo.
• It is best to avoid alcohol, as it can upset your blood sugar control and make hypos more likely, especially if you miss a meal.
• Check your blood sugar as your diabetes team advises. Regular blood tests (such as HbA1c) show how well your diabetes is controlled.
• Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Diabetes treatment is usually long term, and stopping can make your blood sugar rise.
• If you forget a dose, do not take two doses together to make up for it. Check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist what to do.
• Hypos can affect driving. Do not drive, ride a bike or use machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy, and talk to your doctor about driving if you get hypos often or do not feel the warning signs.
• Store it out of the reach of children and return unused tablets to a pharmacy.

Common questions

Can I fast during Ramadan while taking gliclazide?
Many people with type 2 diabetes can fast safely with the right medical advice, but gliclazide can cause hypos when you are not eating. Speak to your doctor before Ramadan to make a plan. You may need to check your blood sugar more often or have your medicine changed. If you feel a hypo coming on, you must break your fast and take something sugary, then some starchy food.

What is a hypo and what should I do?
A hypo is when your blood sugar drops too low. You may feel shaky, sweaty, hungry, dizzy or confused. Take something sugary straight away, such as glucose tablets, sugar or a sugary drink, then eat a snack or meal. Get medical help if it does not get better or keeps coming back.

Can I drink alcohol with gliclazide?
It is best to avoid alcohol. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar and makes hypos more likely, especially if you skip a meal.

Will gliclazide make me put on weight?
It can cause some weight gain. Healthy eating and staying active can help. Talk to your diabetes team if you are worried.

Can I take gliclazide with insulin or other diabetes medicines?
Yes, it can be used with other diabetes medicines. But taking them together raises the risk of hypos, so your doctor may adjust your treatment and you may need to check your blood sugar more often.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.