Gliclazide belongs to a class of medication called sulfonylureas. It can stimulate the release of insulin from your body and sensitize your body to insulin. Therefore, it is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Gliclazide can be administered orally as conventional tablets or modified-release tablets. One tablet of Gliclazide 80 mg is comparable to one modified-release tablet of Gliclazide 30 mg.
Conventional tablets:
The usual initial dose is 40-80 mg once daily, and may be increased to 80-320 mg/day based on your blood glucose level. Doses ≥160 mg/day should be administered in 2 equally divided doses.
Modified-release tablets:
The usual initial dose is 30 mg once daily, and may be increased in 30 mg increments every month. For patients whose blood glucose has not reduced after two weeks of treatment, the dose may be increased at the end of the second week of treatment. The maximum dose is 120 mg once daily. Swallow the modified-release tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew it.
Common side effects of Gliclazide include hypoglycemia, weight gain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
Common dosing schedule:
For conventional tablets, Gliclazide should be taken with meals.
For modified-release tablets, Gliclazide should be taken with breakfast (or the first main meal of the day) as a single daily dose.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Gliclazide may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Gliclazide is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Gliclazide in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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