Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Diamicron MR (Gliclazide).
Alcohol use: Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR can cause an unpleasant "intolerance reaction" to alcohol. People taking Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR may experience flushing, warmth, nausea, giddiness, and possibly increased heart rate when they use alcohol. To prevent this reaction, avoid drinking alcohol.
Diabetes complications: Similar to other medications for diabetes, the use of Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR will not prevent the development of diabetes complications.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency: If you have G6PD-deficiency, discuss with your doctor how Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diamicron MR (Gliclazide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR, like other sulfonylurea drugs, can cause symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) including dizziness, lack of energy, drowsiness, headache, and sweating. Weakness, nervousness, shakiness, and numbness or tingling have also been reported. Seniors, those with reduced liver or kidney function, and those who are fragile or malnourished are more likely to have low blood sugar when they take these medications. Low blood sugar is more likely to occur when food intake is inadequate or after strenuous or prolonged physical exercise. Blood glucose should be monitored regularly and emergency glucose (and Glucagon kit) kept available in case the need arises to increase blood sugar levels.
Illness/stress: People on Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR therapy may experience loss of blood sugar control during illness or stressful situations, such as trauma or surgery. Under these conditions, the doctor may consider stopping the medication and prescribing insulin until the situation improves.
Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diamicron MR (Gliclazide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diamicron MR (Gliclazide), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Diamicron MR (Gliclazide).
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Porphyria: Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) may cause attacks of a condition called acute porphyria (a disorder that affects the production of heme in the body). If you have a history of porphyria, discuss with your doctor how Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diamicron MR (Gliclazide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Proper diet: The use of Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR must be considered as treatment in addition to proper diet and not as a substitute for diet.
Worsening of condition: Over a period of time, Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR may become less effective because of the worsening of diabetes. If Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR no longer controls blood glucose to target levels, it should be stopped and another medication added.
Pregnancy: Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the developing baby. If you become pregnant while taking Diamicron MR (Gliclazide), contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Diamicron MR (Gliclazide), it may affect your baby. Breast-feeding women should not take Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) MR.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Diamicron MR (Gliclazide) have not been established for children.
Seniors: Seniors may be more likely to experience side effects with Diamicron MR (Gliclazide).
