Gliclazide is used to manage diabetes. It helps the pancreas to release more insulin to bring your blood sugar levels down.
This medication may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms of low blood sugar are weakness, dizziness, hunger, sweating, trembling, blurred vision, walking unsteadily or fast heartbeat.
If you experience any of these low blood sugar symptoms, do the following immediately:
Step 1: Check your blood sugar with a home blood sugar meter (glucometer) if available. If your blood sugar level is less than 4 mmol/L, take 15 grams of sugar such as:
Step 2: You should feel better after 15 minutes. If you have a home blood sugar meter, you should check your blood sugar level again. Step 3: If your blood sugar level is still less than 4 mmol/L or you still have symptoms of low blood sugar, you should take another 15 grams of sugar. If your symptoms still do not get better, see a doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
See a doctor or go to the hospital immediately if your blood sugar level is always low and experience symptoms even after taking amounts of sugar (see instructions above for management of low blood sugar).
You may also gain weight with Gliclazide. You are encouraged to exercise regularly to prevent weight gain associated with this medication.
Inform your doctor if
If your doctor has informed you that you need to do a fasting blood test, skip your medication until after you have your blood taken and are ready to eat.
Avoid taking alcohol with this medication as it may cause symptoms such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, fast heartbeat, fast breathing and giddiness.
Take the tablet(s) as directed by your doctor immediately before meal(s). Do not miss or delay meals after taking the medication.
If you miss a dose, take your next dose immediately before your next meal and skip the dose you missed. Do not double your dose or use extra medication to make up for the missed dose.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately.
Pack this medicine into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
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