Gliclazide

What is Gliclazide?

Gliclazide is a daily tablet treatment for type-2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medicines called sulfonylureas, which are to be used when diet and exercise alone hasn’t been enough to lower your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Type-2 diabetes normally occurs in adulthood, when your body is unable to process the glucose that you consume as well as it should, leading to high blood sugar levels. . This is usually either because your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, your body doesn’t use the insulin that your pancreas does produce properly, or a combination of both.

How does Gliclazide work?

Sulfonylureas treatments like Gliclazide lower your blood sugar levels by stimulating your pancreas’ beta cells, leading it to produce more insulin. This can increase both your pancreas’ basal and meal-stimulated insulin output.^[1]

Increased levels of insulin should help your body to transfer the glucose that you eat from your bloodstream to your cells, leading to lower blood sugar levels.

What doses of Gliclazide are there?

You can get Gliclazide in five different doses: 30mg, 40mg, 60mg,80mg and 160mg. The dose that you’re prescribed will depend on both your health and condition. You might be advised to start on a lower dose to see how that controls your blood sugar levels. If it’s not working as hoped at this dosage then it can be increased.

How to take Gliclazide

You should always take Gliclazide exactly as prescribed by our clinician. Gliclazide should be taken with a glass of water before meals. The standard starting dose is 40-80mg once daily, which can be increased to a maximum of 320mg per day. You shouldn’t take more than 160mg as a single dose, daily doses higher than 160mg will need to be spread across the day.

How long does it take Gliclazide to work?

Gliclazide should start to get to work quickly to stimulate your insulin production when you take it, but it might take several weeks for your HbA1c (the test of your average blood glucose levels) to show an improvement. Studies have shown that it’s most effective when you take it 30 minutes before breakfast.^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Gliclazide?

Taking too much Gliclazide can lead to hypoglycemia (a blood sugar level that’s too low). If you’ve taken too much Gliclazide, seek medical help straight away. Your symptoms might be helped by having sugary foods or drinks. If you forget to take your dose of Gliclazide you can take it when you remember, as long as it’s not too close to your next dose. If it is, skip that dose and carry on as normal. Don’t double the dose to make up for the missed one.