Gliclazide is an anti-diabetic medicine. It is available as a tablet and
used in patients having Type II diabetes. Gliclazide is a common medicine
used for control of diabetes and is known to be safe and effective.
Gliclazide Brand Names
- Diamicron
- Diamicron MR
- Dacadis
- Edicil
- Vitile
- Zicron
- Glibenese
- Minodiab etc.
Uses of Gliclazide Drugs
As already mentioned, gliclazide drugs are
used to treat diabetes. It is an
anti-diabetic
medicine and used in patients with Type II (non insulin-dependent)
diabetes mellitus. It is used when exercise, diet, and reduction of weight
have not been effective to control blood glucose. Controlling high blood
sugar in turn helps in preventing other diseases like strokes, heart
disease, circulation problems, kidney disease, and blindness.
How Does Gliclazide Works?
This type of medicine has both
metabolic and vascular properties and restores the early peak of insulin
secretion and ensures glycaemic control throughout 24 hours without
hypoglycaemia. The drug combats microthrombosis by decreasing platelet hyper
adhesiveness & hyper aggregation, increasing fibrinolytic activity,
normalizing prostaglandin metabolism, scavenging free-radicals. In type 2
diabetes, cells in the body are not able to use the insulin properly or the
body cannot make enough insulin that is required. Gliclazide works mainly by
stimulating the beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to more insulin to be
produced, which in turn decrease the amount of sugar in your blood.
Dosage of Gliclazide
The recommended dose of gliclazide ranges from
30 mg to 120 mg once daily. It is recommended to take the medicine after
food and at the same time each day. Do not chew or crush the tablets. The
tablet should be swallowed whole but in case of 60 mg or 120 mg tablets,
they can be split in half.
Side Effects of Gliclazide
The drug has certain side effects, that
can affect individuals in different ways. The following are some of the side
effects, that are often associated with the drug:
- Cutaneous reactions
- Blood dyscrasias
- Low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)
- Diarrhoea, indigestion, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal
pain
- Temporary visual disturbances
- Low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)
- Skin reactions
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Liver Inflammation
Glaclazine: Not to be used in
- Children below 12 years of age.
- Patients having allergy to medicines from the sulphonamide group and
other sulphonylureas
- Patients with Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes
- Patients with Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diabetic coma or pre-coma patients
- Patients with with severely reduced kidney and liver functions
- Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias
- Breastfeeding
- Pregnancy
Disclaimer: The above information is for general understanding
of the visitor. Please consult a registered medical practitioner before
taking the aforesaid medicine.