Gliclazide Tablet: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects in Pakistan

Gliclazide Tablet Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan

1. Quick Info (Mukhtasir Maloomat)

2. What is Gliclazide Tablet? (Gliclazide Tablet kya hai)

Gliclazide Tablet, brand name Diamicron, is a Sulfonylurea anti-diabetic medicine. It closes ATP-sensitive potassium (K+) channels on pancreatic beta cells, causing them to depolarise and release insulin. The result: blood sugar (glucose) decreases.

In Pakistan, Diamicron is commonly prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It is an Rx medicine — only take it on a doctor's instructions.

IMPORTANT: The biggest risk is HYPOGLYCAEMIA (low blood sugar). Make sure to remember its symptoms and emergency action.

3. Uses (Fayde / Kis kaam aata hai)

• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus — controlling blood glucose (sugar)
• Both immediate-release (80mg) and modified-release (30mg MR / 60mg MR) forms are available

Note: Gliclazide is not used in Type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or severe renal/hepatic failure.

4. Who Should Take (Kis ko leni chahiye)

• Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to whom a doctor has prescribed Gliclazide
• Patients who need additional sugar control after diet/exercise and Metformin

5. When NOT to Take (Kab nahi leni chahiye)

• Type 1 Diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
• Severe renal failure — dose adjustment or alternative is necessary
• Severe hepatic failure
• Allergy to sulfonamide or sulfonylurea
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding — consult your doctor
• With miconazole (antifungal) — risk of severe hypoglycaemia

6. Dosage (Kitni leni hai)

• As prescribed — dose depends on condition, HbA1c, and renal function
• Gliclazide MR (Modified Release — 30mg/60mg): generally once in the morning with breakfast
• Gliclazide Immediate Release (80mg): with food

• Take as soon as you remember — but if a meal is to be skipped, do not take the dose
• Never take a double dose

• Do not exceed the doctor's prescribed limit — severe hypoglycaemia can occur

Ramadan: Consult your doctor for dose adjustment before keeping a fast.

7. How to Take (Kaise lena hai)

• MR (Modified Release): In the morning with breakfast — swallow the tablet whole, do not crush or chew
• Immediate Release: With food
• Take at the same time every day
• Skip the dose if a meal is skipped — to avoid hypoglycaemia

8. Best Time (Kab lena chahiye)

• Gliclazide MR: In the morning with breakfast (once daily)
• Immediate Release: With food (as prescribed — could be once or twice daily)

9. Empty Stomach or After Food (Khali pait ya khane ke baad)

Gliclazide should NOT be taken on an empty stomach — the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) increases. Always take it with food or at breakfast time.

10. Warnings (Ihtiyat)

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is the biggest risk:

Symptoms:

• Sweating (paseena aana)
• Shaking / trembling (kaanpna)
• Confusion / inability to concentrate (ghabrahat / be-hosshi jaisi kaifiyat)
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hunger (bhuook)
• Dizziness (chakkar)
• In severe cases: unconsciousness (behoshi) or seizures (dore)

Emergency Action:

• Mild: take sugar immediately (sweet juice, glucose tablet, mithai)
• Severe (unconscious): call an ambulance — glucose injection is administered

High Risk Groups:

• Elderly patients
• Patients with renal or hepatic impairment
• Those fasting (Ramadan)
• Those who exercise excessively without adjusting the dose

Many patients in Pakistan fast during Ramadan. When taking Gliclazide, dose timing MUST be adjusted during Ramadan — consult your doctor beforehand. Taking the dose on an empty stomach while fasting can cause severe hypoglycaemia.

Beta-blocker medicines (atenolol, metoprolol) can mask important symptoms of hypoglycaemia — racing heart, sweating. If you are taking a beta-blocker, check your blood sugar regularly.

11. Precautions (Ahm ehtiyaat)

• Blood sugar monitoring — regular glucose checks are necessary
• Storage: Below 25°C, protect from moisture
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Avoid alcohol — causes enhanced hypoglycaemia
• Monitor renal function

12. Side Effects (Nuksanat)

• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar — most important)
• Weight gain
• Nausea (matli)
• Diarrhea (dast)
• Headache (sir dard)

• Severe hypoglycaemia — unconsciousness, seizures (elderly, renal impairment, fasting)
• Haematological effects: thrombocytopenia, leukopenia (rare)
• Hepatotoxicity: jaundice, elevated liver enzymes (rare)

13. Drug Interactions (Dawaon ke sath reaction)

• NSAIDs / Aspirin: Hypoglycaemia effect may increase
• Beta-Blockers: Mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia (heart rate, trembling)
• Fluconazole / Miconazole (antifungals): Risk of severe hypoglycaemia
• Alcohol: Enhanced hypoglycaemia
• Rifampicin (TB medicine): Reduces Gliclazide's effectiveness
• Warfarin: Enhanced anticoagulation effect — monitoring required

14. When to See Doctor (Kab doctor ke paas jayein)

• Severe hypoglycaemia — EMERGENCY
• Jaundice — sign of liver toxicity
• Unusual bruising or bleeding — sign of blood disorder
• Blood sugar consistently too high or too low
• Before Ramadan — for dose adjustment

15. Alternatives (Sasti Dusri Dawaein)

Do not switch to any alternative on your own — consult your doctor.

16. Price in Pakistan (Price kitni hai)

Prices vary by pharmacy, city, and pack size. For the most current price:

• Ask at your local registered pharmacy
• Online: Dawaai.pk, Sehat.com.pk, Dvago.pk
• Search term: "gliclazide diamicron price pakistan dawaai"

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17. FAQs (Aksar poochay jane walay sawalat)

Q: Gliclazide kis kaam aata hai?

A: Gliclazide (Diamicron) controls blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes — by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin. Always get a doctor's prescription.

Q: Gliclazide ke side effects kya hain?

A: Most important: hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Signs: sweating, shaking, confusion. Weight gain may also occur. See your doctor for any serious symptom.

Q: Gliclazide kaise lena hai?

A: Gliclazide MR in the morning with breakfast. Immediate-release with food. Follow the doctor's exact instructions — do not change the dose yourself.

Q: Gliclazide price in Pakistan?

A: Price varies. Check the updated price at Dawaai.pk or your local pharmacy.

Q: Gliclazide safe hai?

A: It is safe and effective under a doctor's supervision. To avoid hypoglycaemia, always maintain a balance of food, dose, and exercise. Get dose adjustment done before Ramadan.

18. Medical Review (Medical jaiza)

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

19. Disclaimer (Zaroori tanbeeh)

The information on this page is for awareness only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. PakVita is not responsible for any harm.