Diamicron

Diamicron is the brand name of the drug gliclazide, which is used to control the blood glucose of people with type 2 diabetes. Gliclazide is part of the class of medications known as oral hypoglycaemics. Diamicron is prescribed when diet, exercise, weight reduction and other methods of controlling the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are found to be ineffective.

Diamicron is the brand name of the drug gliclazide, which is used to control the blood glucose of people with type 2 diabetes. Gliclazide is part of the class of medications known as oral hypoglycaemics. Diamicron is prescribed when diet, exercise, weight reduction and other methods of controlling the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are found to be ineffective.

Diamicron is taken orally in the form of a tablet, which is scored so that it can be easily broken into quarters. Each tablet contains 80 mg of gliclazide. Your doctor will inform you about the amount of Diamicron you should take each day, with the dosage ranging from 80 mg to 320 mg. Higher doses should be taken twice a day in equal amounts, ideally with meals.

Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you forget a dose, take the next dose at the scheduled time – do not double up to compensate for a missed dose. If unsure of the best way to proceed, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Store it at room temperature and keep it out of reach of children.

As with most medications, Diamicron tablets can cause many side effects, most of which can be managed and go away without requiring further treatments.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea;
• Stomach cramps,
• Indigestion;
• Diarrhoea;
• Constipation;
• Headache;
• Heartburn;
• Back or muscle pain.

Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking Diamicron tablets:

• Anxiety;
• Blurred vision;
• Skin rash or hives;
• Oedema;
• Problems concentrating;
• Cold sweats;
• Rapid heart rate;
• Confusion;
• Feeling dizzy;
• Drowsiness;
• Nightmares;
• Signs of liver problems, such as jaundice.

Seek urgent medical help if you experience any of the following serious symptoms:

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing;
• Swelling in the mouth area;
• Seizures (fits);
• Chest pain and/or breathlessness.

You should not take Diamicron tablets if you are:

• Pregnant;
• Breastfeeding;
• Allergic to any of the excipients in the medication;
• Have a serious infection requiring antibiotics;
• Have severely reduced liver or kidney function;
• Have type 1 diabetes mellitus;
• Have high levels of ketones in your urine (unstable diabetes).

There are many other factors that can affect the effectiveness of Diamicron tablets, such as alcohol use, stress levels, anaemia, diabetes complications and illness. Always disclose the details of your lifestyle and medication to your doctor so that they can ascertain the right dosage for you and determine whether any special monitoring is required.

There are also many medications that are known to interact with Diamicron tablets. These include but are not limited to:

• Beta-blockers;
• St John’s Wort;
• Asthma medication;
• Diuretics;
• Oral contraceptives;
• Testosterone;
• Warfarin.