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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1- To manage type 2 diabetes mellitus |
| Common Side Effects | 1- Stomach pain or indigestive 2- Nausea 3- Vomiting 4- Diarrhea 5- Constipation |
| Additional Information | Avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Gliclazide Summary
Gliclazide 80 mg is a diabetes medicine that helps lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes by boosting insulin release. It should be taken daily as prescribed, ideally at the same time each day. Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and tiredness, while serious ones like yellowing eyes or unusual bleeding need medical attention. It’s not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding and should be kept away from alcohol, grapefruit, and certain medications. If you miss a dose, skip it if it’s close to the next one. In case of overdose, get medical help right away. Managing diabetes isn’t just about medicine – it’s also about lifestyle. Eating fewer carbs, staying active, and checking your blood sugar regularly can make a big difference. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week,and always take your medication on time. Avoid alcohol, as it can interfere with treatment and make your blood sugar drop too low. With the right habits, diabetes can be managed effectively.
Gliclazide Uses
Gliclazide 80 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of sulfonylurea medicines. It is used for the following indications:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Directions for use
- Take gliclazide exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking gliclazide without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
Gliclazide side effects
More Common
- Stomach pain or indigestive
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Less Common
- Your sclera turns yellow
- Prolonged bleeding
- Bruising
- Sore throat
- High temperature
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 1- Pregnancy
Gliclazide is not safe to use during pregnancy; therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor.
📌 2- Breastfeeding
This medicine can pass into breast milk and may cause low blood sugar levels in your body. It is best to inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
How Gliclazide works
Gliclazide works by binding to the SUR1 receptor on pancreatic beta cells. This closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, making the cell more active. That opens calcium channels, letting calcium flow into the cell. The calcium triggers insulin release to help lower blood sugar.
Gliclazide Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking gliclazide 80 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Gliclazide Interaction with Food Product
Avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with this medicine. Additionally, avoid alcohol and tobacco, as they can affect how the medicine works.
Gliclazide Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name-
1-(3,3a,4,5,6,6a-hexahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2-yl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)sulfonylurea
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Intake routine/cycle
📌 1- Daily dose
Take gliclazide as suggested by your doctor. Your dose can vary depending on the severity of the condition and how you respond to the medication. Do not exceed the prescribed dose without consulting your doctor.
📌 2- Missed dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 3- Overdose
The exact overdose amount of gliclazide is not known, but symptoms of overdose may include headache, excessive sweating, trembling, increased appetite, changes in vision, and tiredness. Do not take more than the prescribed dose, and if you know someone who has overdosed on this medicine, take them to the hospital immediately.
Dietary and Lifestyle Management
Diabetes cannot be cured permanently, but with a healthy lifestyle and exercise, it can be managed easily. Diabetic patients are advised to monitor their blood sugar level before and after meals. Following are the natural ways to manage blood sugar levels:
Food
Eating healthy is important for managing diabetes. Carbohydrates have a huge impact on our blood sugar level, as they break into sugar (glucose), which is poison for diabetic patients as they already have elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is essential for a diabetic patient to count the amount of carbohydrates he is taking.
Do Exercise
Exercise plays an important role in managing diabetes. When our body moves and gets active, the muscles use blood sugar for energy, resulting in a low amount of sugar in our bloodstream. Adults are advised to exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.
Medicine
Take your medicine on time, as it is designed to lower blood sugar levels.
Avoid Alcohol
Consumptions of alcohol while on therapy with metformin increase the risk of lactic acidosis, that is, lactic acid increases in the bloodstream. Lactic acid can cause symptoms like muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, and weakness. Alcohol also decreases the level of blood sugar. It is generally recommended to avoid alcohol while on gliclazide.
FAQ’s
1. What is Gliclazide 60 mg used for?
➡️ Gliclazide 60 mg is used to manage blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
2. Which is better: Gliclazide or Metformin?
➡️ Metformin is the first-line therapy for diabetes mellitus. It works by reducing glucose production in the liver and improving insulin sensitivity. Gliclazide, on the other hand, increases insulin secretion from the pancreas. If your doctor has prescribed either medication, they have likely assessed your condition and chosen the most suitable option for you.
3. How long does Gliclazide stay in your system?
➡️ Gliclazide is a diabetes medicine that works in your body for several hours, with half of it being cleared from your system after about 11 hours.
Reference
- NHS. Side effects of gliclazide [Internet]. London: NHS; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from.
- DrugBank. Gliclazide [Internet]. Edmonton (AB): DrugBank; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Glipizide (oral route) – description [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Clinic; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from.
- MedicineNet. Gliclazide – oral tablet [Internet]. [place unknown]: MedicineNet; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from.
- McAlpine LG, McAlpine CH, Waclawski ER, Storer AM, Kay JW, Frier BM. A comparison of treatment with metformin and gliclazide in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1988;34(2):129-32. doi: 10.1007/BF00614548. PMID: 3289948. Available from.
- Campbell DB, Lavielle R, Nathan C. The mode of action and clinical pharmacology of gliclazide: a review. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 1991;14 Suppl 2:S21-36. doi: 10.1016/0168-8227(91)90005-x. PMID: 1794262. Available from.
