Glizide 80 (Gliclazide 80mg)

Glizide general information

What is Glizide used for?

Glizide tablets 80mg are an oral diabetes medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with mild to moderate type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone.  Glizide tablets 80mg can be used alone as monotherapy, in conjunction with diet and exercise, or in combination with other antihyperglycaemic medication (lowers blood sugar), like metformin, when a single drug does not provide adequate glycaemic control.  Diabetes increases the risk of serious health complications, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).  Maintaining glycaemic control with Glizide tablets 80mg reduces the risk of developing these vascular complications. 

How does Glizide work?

Gliclazide tablets 80mg contain gliclazide, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication belonging to the sulphonylurea group of drugs.  Gliclazide in Glizide tablets 80mg controls blood glucose (sugar) primarily by acting directly on the beta cells, which are the insulin-producing cells of pancreatic islet tissue.  It increases sensitivity of the beta cells to glucose and stimulates the cells to produce and release more insulin.  Insulin is normally produced in response to food and increased blood glucose levels.  This insulin release controls postprandial (after eating) blood glucose levels to maintain glycaemic control, which is impaired in diabetes.  Gliclazide in Glizide 80 helps the body to produce sufficient insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels after a meal as well as between meals and is effective for up to 24 hours.  It is thought that as well as acting as an insulin secretagogue (stimulates insulin secretion) gliclazide in Glizide 80 also acts on insulin-responsive cells in the liver, muscle and fat cells to increase the number of receptors, which means that insulin control of glucose production by the liver and uptake of insulin into peripheral tissues for energy and storage, is more efficient and helps reduce insulin resistance, which is seen in type-2 diabetes.  Gliclazide in Glizide has also been found to reduce the stickiness of the blood by reducing blood platelets sticking to the vessel wall, which initiates blood clot formation, and is thought to be a factor in the vascular complications of diabetes. 

What does Glizide contain?

Gliclazide tablets contain the active ingredient gliclazide (80mg), an oral antihyperglycaemic used to lower blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetes.  They also contain lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, purified talc, magnesium stearate.

Treating type 2 diabetes with Glizide

Glizide tablets 80mg contain gliclazide, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication, used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone.  Insulin is normally produced in response to food and increased blood glucose levels and insulin release controls postprandial (after eating) blood glucose levels to maintain glycaemic control, which is impaired in diabetes.  Gliclazide in Glizide tablets 80mg controls blood glucose (sugar) primarily by acting directly on the beta cells, which are the insulin-producing cells of pancreatic islet tissue.  It increases sensitivity of the beta cells to glucose and stimulates the cells to produce and release more insulin.   Gliclazide in Glizide 80 helps the body to produce sufficient insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels after a meal as well as between meals.  Gliclazide in Glizide tablets 80mg also acts on insulin-responsive cells in the liver, muscle and fat cells to increase the number of receptors, which means that insulin control of glucose production by the liver and uptake of insulin into peripheral tissues for energy and storage, is more efficient and helps reduce insulin resistance, which is seen in type-2 diabetes.  Gliclazide in Glizide 80 has also been found to reduce the stickiness of the blood by reducing blood platelets sticking to the vessel wall, which initiates blood clot formation, and is thought to be a factor in the vascular complications of diabetes. Maintaining glycaemic control with Glizide tablets 80mg reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).  

What are the side effects of Glizide?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Glizide tablets 80mg include: gastrointestinal complaints like nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and stomach or abdominal pain; allergic skin reactions like, redness (erythema), itching (pruritus), hives (urticaria); also dizziness, drowsiness, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, malaise and tremor, which are usually transient and may be signs of hypoglycaemia.  A more serious side effect of taking Glizide tablets 80mg is severe hypoglycaemia (very low blood glucose), as gliclazide continues to work between meals to reduce blood sugar levels, so it is important to eat regularly; also certain other conditions like liver or kidney problems, or taking other medications like beta blockers, can make you more susceptible to hypoglycaemia.  Other symptoms of hypoglycaemia include headache, hunger, restlessness, loss of consciousness, which can result in coma.

When should Glizide not be used?

You should not use Glizide tablets 80mg if you:

• are allergic to gliclazide or any other sulphonylurea or or any ingredients in Glizide
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney, liver or thyroid disease
• have type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes or suffer from diabetic coma or diabetic ketoacidosis
• have G6PD deficiency as you may be at risk of haemolytic anaemia
• are malnourished or have adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, as this may increase risk of hypoglycaemia
• drink alcohol as this can cause a serious reaction
• are taking medicines that interact with Glizide: including the antifungals miconazole and fluconazole, non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) like phenylbutazone, salicylate analgesicis like aspirin, beta-blockers like propranolol for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions, clonidine for high blood pressure, ACE Inhibitors like benezapril for high blood pressure, cimetidine for peptic ulcers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors for depression, probenecid for gout, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antibiotic chloramphenicol, sulphonamide antibiotics, danazol for hormone treatment, the antipsychotic chlorpromazine, corticosteroids for inflammation, bronchodilators like salbutamol, thiazides and other diuretics, thyroid hormones, oestrogens and progestogens for oral contraceptives and HRT, phenytoin for epilepsy, nicotinic acid for high cholesterol, calcium channel blocking drugs like verapamil for angina, isoniazid for tuberculosis

What medications interact with Glizide?

Several medications interact with Glizide and should either not be taken while you are taking Glizide or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Glizide and cause hypoglaemia (low blood sugar) by increasing its glucose-lowering effect: the antifungals miconazole and fluconazole, non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) like phenylbutazone, salicylate analgesics like aspirin, beta-blockers like propranolol for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions, ACE Inhibitors like benezapril for high blood pressure, cimetidine for peptic ulcers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors for depression, probenecid for gout, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antibiotic chloramphenicol, sulphonamide antibiotics, bronchodilators like salbutamol, clonidine for high blood pressure
• Drugs that affect Glizide and cause hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) by reducing its glucose-lowering effect: Danazol for hormone treatment, the antipsychotic chlorpromazine, corticosteroids for inflammation, bronchodilators like salbutamol, thiazides and other diuretics, thyroid hormones, oestrogens and progestogens for oral contraceptives and HRT, phenytoin for epilepsy, nicotinic acid for high cholesterol, calcium channel blocking drugs like verapamil for angina, isoniazid for tuberculosis, clonidine for high blood pressure

How should Glizide be taken?

You should take your Glizide tablets 80mg swallowed whole with a glass of water just before breakfast of if you only have a light breakfast, then take your Glizide tablets just before your midday meal.  It is important that you do not skip a meal while taking Glizide 80.  The dose you take depends on how well you respond and your doctor may increase your dose until your blood glucose has reached normal levels and remains controlled.  If your dose is increased to more than 160mg per day you will be asked to take it in separate doses, morning and evening. You should continue to take your Glizide tablets 80mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they with help maintain your blood sugar levels but will not cure your diabetes.  

How long should you take Glizide?

You should continue to take your Glizide tablets 80mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they with help maintain your blood sugar levels but will not cure your diabetes. 

Missed dose of Glizide

If you miss a dose of Glizide tablets 80mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Glizide be stored?

You should store your Glizide below 25°C in a cool dry place.