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Abusing Gliclazide...is it dangerous?

Alisonjane10

Well-Known Member
Hello folks.

I've recently found a local support group for people with Diabetes. I've become friends with a lady from the group who lives near to me & is a similar age. When meeting up this afternoon for coffee, I was surprised to see she ordered herself a large portion of Fish & Chips to accompany her drink, whilst I ordered a prawn salad. I assumed my new friend had good BG control & so could have what I would consider an inappropriate food choice. But, I am fairly new to this disease, having only been diagnosed in January, & am still establishing what foods spike my BG. Not wishing to be judgemental I said nothing. However, whilst we were eating, I commented that I missed certain foods (Red Velvet cake) since being diagnosed as I now follow a LCHF eating plan. My friend laughed & told me her "secret" was to take "extra" Gliclazide whenever she planned to have a treat. I was gobsmacked to be honest, but she made light of it & said she'd never had a problem doing this previously, and now & then was ok. I don't know if this is something other T2 diabetics do, but it sounds risky. I wasn't sure what to say about it, & ended up just keeping my mouth shut. What's the score with this practice...is it common? I have heard of "Diabulimia" with T1, so I know there are eating disorders amongst diabetics. Can taking extra Gliclazide like this cause harm, even if it is just occasionally? I've been worried since I got home. All advice welcome. Thank you.

Ali. X
 
Abuse of any medicine can be dangerous. Gliclazide will bring the BG down and if not careful, can cause Hypo. A sever hypo can lead to seizure.

I for one will not do this !
 
Don't think this is a good way to manage BG. Like PSS says it could be dangerous.

Very foolish.

How does she get the extra tablets - does he GP not control the prescription?
 
scottish-jim said:
Don't think this is a good way to manage BG. Like PSS says it could be dangerous.

Very foolish.

How does she get the extra tablets - does he GP not control the prescription?
Click to expand...

Hi Scottish-Jim

I never thought to ask that to be honest with you. But the impression I get is that abusing prescribed Gliclazide isn't something that she does frequently. But I'm uncomfortable that it happened whilst I was with her today...and that I didn't challenge it. I feel I should raise the issue with my friend, but I don't want to come across as patronising or judgemental, which could be awkward at future support group meetings. I really want advice from the members on this forum as to the issues I've mentioned. I don't need to be told that abusing any drug is dangerous or it's not a good way of managing BG. I KNOW that. These remarks are unhelpful at best. Clearly I've asked a question that makes people feel uncomfortable, and i get that. But I need some advice so I can help my friend. Im wondering if I've touched on a subject that happens with SOME diabetics, but isn't talked about.

Ali.
 
Are you taking Gliclazide yourself ?

I'm asking because perhaps it is possible to steer the conversation in to the side effects and open a discussion I'm thinking particularly of the possibility of hypoglycaemia . Does your friend drive ? It could be that she doesn't know the risks, or hasn't thought them through.

I think it's really sweet of you to be concerned, but I'm betting that your friend won't make any changes to what she is doing, and of course, you wouldn't want to risk spoiling the friendship . It's a tricky one .

Signy
 

Hi Heathenlass

My DNS recently increased my Metformin and stopped my prescribed Gliclazide as I've managed to get decent control of my BG since I was diagnosed. I was keen for that to happen & had worked hard with my LCHF diet so I could get off Gliclazide. Didn't like what I was reading about the drug.

Maybe I should be upfront with my friend and just ask why she does it. I dunno. I'm a right old worry wart, so it has been on my mind. But at the end of the day, she's an adult & is allowed to make bad choices. I just wish it wasn't in front of me! I'll sleep on it. Thanks for the advice.
 
as long as she is not exceeding the maximum dose and as said by @PSS and @scottish-jim, has enough carb to cover the increased insulin out-put. I guess it's safe enough and better than going into the 20's. however it's just flogging her pancreas more and burning cells, IMO.
I didn't realise Gli had such a quick response and I thought it took days for effect?
 
Alisonjane10 said:
Yes Jack412....I agree. X
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TBH, after looking at the side effects, when/if my pancreas can't keep up with LCHF, I would be considering going straight to insulin.

off-topic..I find reading your posts all in bold, harder than in normal type, I don't know if this is a common thing with block, bold type?
 

To be fair, you asked if it was dangerous in the thread title, people are just being helpful.
 
rowan said:
To be fair, you asked if it was dangerous in the thread title, people are just being helpful.
Click to expand...

I'm not going to get into a war of words with members. I have been polite & have offered my apologies should I have caused offence. It really doesn't need to become an issue. And I agree...people are indeed trying to be helpful.
 
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