GENERIC NAME: Glicazide

BRAND NAME: Diamicron

GENERAL ACTION: Oral Antidiabetic Agent

ACTION:

Pharmacology: Gliclazide is a sulfonylurea which stimulates insulin secretion by the

pancreas. Its action on insulin secretion is mainly due to the restoration of the early

phase, resulting in a physiological release of insulin. Thus, gliclazide restores glycaemic

control throughout 24 hrs. It normalizes fasting and postprandial blood sugar.

In man, apart from having hypoglycemic effect, gliclazide has been shown to reduce

platelet hyperadhesiveness and hyper-aggregation and to increase fibrinolytic activity.

Moreover, it has been demonstrated that gliclazide possesses specific antioxidant

properties. As such, gliclazide scavenges free radicals, and therefore, decreases the

oxidative stress, to which the diabetic patient is commonly exposed.

INDICATIONS: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2)

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Contraindicated in: Type 1 diabetes; diabetes complicated with

ketosis and acidosis; pregnancy; diabetes under going surgery; hypersensitivity to

sulfonylureas and related drugs; diabetic precoma; severe liver or kidney disease;

treatment with miconazole. Use cautiously in: Hepatic or renal impairment; hypoglycemia

may occur with too high doses or reduced dietary intake.

ROUTE AND DOSAGE: Oral

Total daily dose may vary from 1-4 orally. Adjust dose according to patient’s individual

response in the majority of cases, 2 tabs/day with meals. Elderly diabetic: starting dose is

½ tab in the morning and ½ tab in the evening.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

• Hypoglycemic manifestations (sweating, pallor, intense hunger, malaise).

• Skin Reactions: Urticaria, itching, skin rash.

• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Nausea, diarrhea, stomach upsets, constipation,

hepatitis.

• Abnormal laboratory results affecting blood and liver functions.

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Always check the patient’s blood sugar regularly.

• Regularly carry out the laboratory tests as prescribed or recommended by the

doctor.

• Do not take a double dose to compensate for the single dose that was not taken.

• If the treatment is discontinued, there is a risk of an imbalance in diabetes

(hyperglycemia). In all cases, strictly comply with the doctor's prescription.

• Advise the patient that the drugs is best taken at breakfast.

• Instruct the patient that it should be taken with meals; swallow whole and do not

chew or crush.

• In the case of sweating, intense hunger, trembling, pallor, visual disturbances,

feeling of malaise, abnormal behavior, immediately eat sugar or something

containing sugar and inform the doctor.

• Inform the doctor in the following cases: Surgery, trauma, fever or infection,

difficulty in eating; planned pregnancy; administration of other drugs, in particular,

anti-inflammatory agents, β-blockers, corticoids.

• Avoid alcohol and alcoholic drinks.

• Use in pregnancy: If the patient is pregnant, diabetes should be treated with

insulin.
• Inform the doctor if the patient wishes to become pregnant. If the patient is

pregnant, inform the doctor so that he may prescribe a more suitable treatment.

• If any undesirable effects which have not been mentioned occur, inform the doctor

or pharmacist.

• Certain interactions with other drugs must be avoided as they can cause significant

changes in the blood glucose levels. The patient must not take other drugs on his

own initiative.

• The doctor or pharmacist must be informed if the patient is taking or have recently

taken any other drugs, especially danazol (hormonal drug), corticoids, diuretics,

miconazole or alcohol.

• The administration of an excessive dose results in hypoglycemia which should be

treated immediately by the administration of sugar. If the patient is unconscious,

immediately inform the doctor and call the emergency services.