Adults: Film-coated tablet: The usual starting dose is 40 to 80 mg daily. When needed, the dose can be raised up to 320 mg daily, given in divided doses. Take Gliclazide before a meal. It is not used in children, because it is contraindicated in juvenile-onset diabetes.
Modified release preparation: Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you, and check with them when you are not sure. The doctor decides the dose according to your blood sugar levels and possibly your urine sugar levels. Changes in outside factors (weight loss, lifestyle, stress) or better blood sugar control may mean the gliclazide dose has to be changed.
The recommended daily dose is one to four tablets (maximum 120 mg), taken in a single intake at breakfast time. The exact amount depends on how you respond to treatment. Gliclazide MR tablet is for oral use. Take your tablet(s) with a glass of water at breakfast time, and preferably at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet(s) whole, in one piece. Do not chew or crush them. You must always eat a meal after taking your tablet(s).
Gliclazide may be started together with metformin, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, a thiazolidinedione, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, a GLP-1 receptor agonist or insulin. In that case your doctor will decide the proper dose of each medicine for you individually. Should you notice that your blood sugar levels are high even though you are taking the medicine as prescribed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking more Gliclazide tablets than you should: Contact your doctor or the nearest hospital Accident & Emergency department immediately. The signs of overdose are those of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Symptoms can be helped by taking sugar (4 to 6 lumps) or sugary drinks straight away, followed by a substantial snack or meal. When the patient is unconscious, inform a doctor immediately and call the emergency services. Do the same if somebody else, for instance a child, has taken the product by accident. Unconscious patients must not be given food or drink. There should always be a person who has been told beforehand and can call a doctor in an emergency.
Forgetting to take Gliclazide tablet: Taking your medicine every day matters, because regular treatment works better. But if you forget a dose of Gliclazide MR tablet, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one.
Stopping Gliclazide MR tablet: Treatment for diabetes is usually lifelong, so discuss it with your doctor before you stop this medicine. Stopping could cause high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), which raises the risk of complications of diabetes. For any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
