Gliclazide is used with a proper diet and exercise
program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve
problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of
diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Gliclazide
belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. It lowers blood sugar
by causing the release of your body's natural insulin.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using gliclazide and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with breakfast as directed
by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your medical
condition and response to treatment.
Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so
can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your
doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet
without crushing or chewing.
To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may
direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase
your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse (your blood sugar is too high or too
low).
Nausea, stomach upset, or diarrhea may occur. If any of
these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away,
fever, chills)
- easy bleeding/bruising
- signs of liver disease (such as stomach/abdominal pain,
yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine)
- unusual/sudden weight gain
- mental/mood changes
- swelling hands/feet
- unusual tiredness/weakness
This medication can cause low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia). This may occur if you do not get enough calories from food
or if you do unusually heavy exercise. Symptoms of low blood sugar include
sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision,
dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose
tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable
forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source
of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or
non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction and the use
of this product. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular
schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to
find out what you should do if you miss a meal.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include
increased thirst/urination. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right
away. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise
program, or diet.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking gliclazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or to other sulfonylureas (such as glipizide);
or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive
ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to
your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- bleeding problems
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- thyroid disease
- a certain metabolic problem (porphyria)
- certain hormonal conditions (adrenal/pituitary
insufficiency)
You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or
drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you
can do it safely.
Limit alcohol while taking this medication because it
can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar. Rarely, alcohol can
interact with gliclazide and cause a serious reaction with symptoms such as
facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or stomach pain. If you
notice any of these effects, tell your doctor right away.
It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your
body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery).
Consult your doctor because this may require a change in your treatment
plan, medications, or blood sugar testing.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor
right away if you get sunburned or have skin
blisters/redness.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of the drug, especially low blood sugar.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using gliclazide. Gliclazide
may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right
away about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Discuss a plan
with your doctor for managing your blood sugar while pregnant. Your doctor
may change your diabetes treatment during your pregnancy (such as diet and
medications including insulin).
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder
to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with
your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood
sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results
with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high
or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need
to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or
diet.
Beta blocker medications (such as metoprolol,
propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the
fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls
too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as
dizziness, hunger, or sweating, are unaffected by these
drugs.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
shakiness, fast heartbeat, sweating, loss of consciousness.
Do not share this medication with others.
Attend a diabetes education program to learn more about
how to manage your diabetes with medications, diet, exercise, and regular
medical exams.
Learn the symptoms of high and low blood sugar and how
to treat low blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as
directed.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney/liver function,
fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood counts) should be
done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).