Gliclazide
Also sold as: Diamicron, Glizid
Prescription neededDiabetes tablets
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 40 to 80 mg once or twice a day with meals (maximum 320 mg a day). Modified-release tablets: 30 to 120 mg once a day with breakfast.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- low blood sugar (shaking
- sweating
- hunger)
- nausea
- stomach upset
- weight gain
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe low blood sugar (confusion
- fits
- unconsciousness)
- yellow eyes or skin
- severe skin rash
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
- Severe kidney or liver disease
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insulin is usually preferred)
- Allergy to sulfonamide (sulfa) medicines
- Elderly people and irregular meals (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Fluconazole
Fluconazole raises gliclazide levels and can cause severe low blood sugar.
Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Co-trimoxazole
Co-trimoxazole can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
- Prednisolone
Steroids raise blood sugar and reduce the effect of gliclazide.
- Vildagliptin
The combination increases the risk of low blood sugar; the gliclazide dose may need to be lowered.
Minor1 medicineUsually not a problem, but tell your doctor.
- Pioglitazone
The combination lowers blood sugar more; the sulfonylurea dose may need to be reduced.