Gliclazide. Any one else taking this drug?

Hi linda67164,

Please forgive me for butting in, ma'am.

I don't personally take Gliclazide as I'm a type 1 diabetic.  Gliclazide is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

What I can tell you, however, is that Gliclazide is what's called a sulphonylurea.  This type of medication stimulates the beta cells (islets of Langerhans) of your pancreas to produce more insulin.  Obviously, this production of more insulin DOES put you at increased risk of suffering a hypoglycaemic attack, hence the reason your doctor wishes you to speak with your diabetes specialist nurse.

As I'm sure you're aware, having a hypo whilst driving COULD result in you losing your licence if, God/dess forbid, you were to have an accident.

The following webpage, on the NHS Choices website, gives you more information with regards to Gliclazide:

http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Diabetes&medicine=gliclazide&preparationGliclazide%2030mg%20modified-release%20tablets

If you look at the page, you'll see that there's a Tab that you can click on to see what the side-effects are of it.

I don't know whether you've already informed your insurance company that you are diabetic, ma'am, but you will need to inform them that your treatment has changed.  This is because of the risk of hypo when taking sulphonylurea medications.  You will also need to inform DVLA for the same reason.

See the following webpage for more information about this:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/driving-with-diabetes.html

I wish you the very best of luck, linda67164.

Lots of Love and Light.

 Mick

x x x x

 x x x

P.S. Please don't be offended, or alarmed, at the 'x's'.  It's merely a logo, of sorts, that I've used for some 30-odd years now.

Hi Linda67164,

I have been taking Glipizide for a while now and it is the same sort of drug that you talk about.

It is quite a powerful drug and does bring your sugar levels down a lot and also acts quite quickly.

I use 5mg per day BUT I split the tablet in two and use 1/2 tablet twice a day.

When I took the whole 5mg it used to cause low blood sugar to the point where I had to eat chocolate or something sugary and then I used to have too much blood sugar.

So, yes, whilst it is a very useful medication use it with care and monitor its effects.

I know someone who was put on 80mg tablets and it caused him big problems.

Hope this helps.

I would have to check my dosage, but was told it was the lowest dose, & to take at breakfast. But I was thinking of breaking the tablet in half & taking twice a day instead of once.

So thank you for your reply

hi Linda67164.

Sorry this is a bit late in the discussion but I wanted to share my experience of this drug. I am 55yrs old and have been T2 for 9 years but was put on Gliclazide 80mg four a day around 8 months ago. I was also taking 4 metformin 500mg and 1 sitagliptin daily. I was fine until I started suffering with stomach pains which was diagnosed as gastritis, the medication for that didn't help so I was sent for a scan and was found to have fatty liver desease (I am 5ft 4inch and 11 stone). 

To cut a long story short I decided to change things round and went on a strict calorie controlled diet, stopped eating any meat and worked out at the gym 3-4 times a week. I have now been taken off the gliclazide, as I was having regular hypos, after just four weeks.

I know my reaction seems extreme but my brother and sister recently passed away because of liver and kidney problems caused by uncontrolled diabetes. I have felt much better since coming off the gliclazide and hope in the future to come off medication all together. 

Whilst on the drug I had to do a finger prick test before driving, and carry the test kit with me at all times. If you are pulled over in your car the officer can demand a test for low blood sugar.

I hope I haven't bored you too much. LOL.

Jackie.