Glicazide added to my repeat prescription

[ExChocoholic]

Hi, I've been battling increased BS levels since quitting cigs last Sept. My DN wanted to increase my meds just as I was hoping to get off Metformin - I was given an amnesty period and am due to see my GP a diabetes specialist - next week. I've just checked out my repeat prescription and see that Glicazide has been added without informing me! I am not sure that is appropriate action as I have not been able to fully discuss this with anyone. Your thoughts appreciated? My husband said to phone the surgery but I will wait to speak to GP next week in my appointment set up specifically to discuss my db issue as only gone out of control first time since dx in 2007 and quitting cigs last September.

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[walnut_face]

They can add them, you don't have to collect them or take them. I must say I find the attitude of your surgery somewhat underhand. FWIW i always tell my HCP's that if their taking a medicine makes me better I have no questions, but if I have to put them in MY mouth I want chapter and verse, and then I might accept the advice

 

[Liam1955]

@ExChocoholic - It needs to be discussed with YOU any changes to your medication. And you need to be told that Gliclazide can and does cause weight gain in some people, and that you can also experience Hypo's on this drug.

 

[ickihun]

Gliclazide can burn out your beta cells in your pancreas so many are getting took off this med and replaced with another more appropriate med.
Give yourself a few months to iron your bgs out but if still struggling as for a different more suitable med.
There is no shame in needing some help. Not everyone can reverse their diabetes, whether short-term or long term.
I think your right to try thou. Give yourself that chance first. Afterall its your body.

 

[ExChocoholic]

Many thanks for advice - not liking the sound of this drug - yet. Need more time on sorting BS - seeing GP on Weds to discuss, our surgery's db expert. Exercise definitely helps lower BS - though I spike late afternoon and can't quite trace reason - mentioned in new topic.

On Glicazide note, I've read a lot or women suffer thrush when taking it - another negative for me.


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[ickihun]

Many thanks for advice - not liking the sound of this drug - yet. Need more time on sorting BS - seeing GP on Weds to discuss, our surgery's db expert. Exercise definitely helps lower BS - though I spike late afternoon and can't quite trace reason - mentioned in new topic.

On Glicazide note, I've read a lot or women suffer thrush when taking it - another negative for me.


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Myself I never got thrush with glicazide but did with canagliflozin.

 

[Liam1955]

Myself I never got thrush with glicazide but did with canagliflozin.

Me too with Dapagliflozin - Thrush AND Burning Urine And I gained 1 stone in weight when I took Gliclazide for only a month, never had any Hypo's though.

 

[Cat0409_]

I never had through with gliclazide unless I binged hugely on carbs. If you are following a low carb diet I doubt very much it will be an issue.
I have been on gliclazide for nearly 2 years after not being able to tolerance Metformin.
As I am also on insulin mdi's and am now low carbing with good results I have been taken off gliclazide.

 

[MarcoRiveira]

Gliclazide can burn out your beta cells in your pancreas so many are getting took off this med and replaced with another more appropriate med.
Give yourself a few months to iron your bgs out but if still struggling as for a different more suitable med.
There is no shame in needing some help. Not everyone can reverse their diabetes, whether short-term or long term.
I think your right to try thou. Give yourself that chance first. Afterall its your body.

I don't know about gliclazide burning out beta cells, the literature is that it will protect whatever beta cells are left. So far, gliclazide has been good for me. It was prescribed to me 2 weeks from diagnosis, after metformin alone was not working enough.

I also know someone who has the same dosage as me for almost ten years (Diamicron MR, 1/2 tab), and he still is fine, still Type 2, never changed dosage.

No weight gains for both of us, so I guess it's different for others.

On the other hand, been under work stress lately, and stress surely affects blood glucose readings badly

 

[lovinglife]

I have lost nearly 12st now all the while taking glic and have reduced my dose down from 120mg morning and evening to 40mg morning and evening so it has worked well for me

 

[catherinecherub]

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/reports/3383

Gliclazide can burn out your beta cells in your pancreas so many are getting took off this med and replaced with another more appropriate med.

You are going to have to support this statement with some references @ickihun. Forum members have a mixed response to the efficacy of Gliclazide. Where did you hear that Drs are taking people off this medication?
This article is worth reading
How does it work?
Diamicron tablets contain the active ingredient gliclazide, which is a type of medicine called a sulphonylurea. Gliclazide is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine. Gliclazide is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

People with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) have a deficiency of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is the main hormone responsible for controlling sugar levels in the blood. It normally makes the cells of the body remove excess sugar from the blood.


In type 2 diabetes insulin is produced inefficiently in response to surges of blood sugar, such as following a meal. The cells of the body also become resistant to the action of insulin that is produced, which means that blood sugar levels can become too high.

Gliclazide works mainly by stimulating the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. These cells are called beta cells. Gliclazide causes the beta cells to produce more insulin, which helps to lower the amount of sugar in the blood.

Gliclazide improves insulin production immediately after eating. This is called early or first phase insulin secretion. The enhanced insulin production results in a blood sugar lowering effect in response to meals or glucose, as occurs naturally in people without diabetes.

Gliclazide also has effects in the blood vessels. It has been shown to prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together in the blood. It also increases the breakdown of blood clots that form within the blood vessels. This may help prevent the long-term complications of diabetes, which may be partly due to changes in the blood vessels caused by these mechanisms.



http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/diabetes/a6555/diamicron-gliclazide/

 

[ickihun]

I'll try and find it......dr bernstein's latest book noted it too!
I've read so much it might take me a while.

 

[alaska]

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/reports/3383

You are going to have to support this statement with some references @ickihun.

There's a fair amount of evidence pointing to sulphonylureas (such as gliclazide) being strongly linked with beta cell burnout.

Read the text under the heading 'ANTI-DIABETIC DRUGS: BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL?' in the following link:
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/54/suppl_2/S108

 

[ickihun]

I recognise this one.....
http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/5068/156896/sulfonylureas/

 

[catfan]

Gliclazide caused weight gain with me also can cause hypo's, my DN told me they keep working when BS level is good. A better alternative is Sitagliptin, no hypo's or weigtht gain, however does cost a lot more than Gliclazide & some doctors are reluctant to prescribe.

As if they are paying for it !

 

[MarcoRiveira]

There's a fair amount of evidence pointing to sulphonylureas (such as gliclazide) being strongly linked with beta cell burnout.

Read the text under the heading 'ANTI-DIABETIC DRUGS: BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL?' in the following link:
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/54/suppl_2/S108

But even if gliclazide is a sulphonylurea, it is still a different drug and was not studied in that article, and it's a newer generation. I think it's the only sulphonylurea in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system, together with metformin and insulin.. Anyway, it's a debate.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16952202

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12646174

 

[membrew]

Many thanks for advice - not liking the sound of this drug - yet. Need more time on sorting BS - seeing GP on Weds to discuss, our surgery's db expert. Exercise definitely helps lower BS - though I spike late afternoon and can't quite trace reason - mentioned in new topic.

On Glicazide note, I've read a lot or women suffer thrush when taking it - another negative for me.


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My Dr added gliclize to my prescription with metform in . Once I took gliclizide constantly sick cor four weeks and then refused to take it any more. Sickness Stopped And DN Said I Had not Persevered Enough.