Gliclazide

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.