Could it be Gliclazide making me ill?

Hi,

The simple fact is that any drug could cause contrindications, and no one can tell you otherwise.
Drugs are tested, and the drug companies are required by law to list the contraindications that they discover on the drug information, which is enclosed in every box of the drug. Sometimes these contraindications are only experienced by 1 in a thousand, but they still exist.

Of course not everyone gets those contraindications, and ?most? people don't, but that doesn't invalidate the experience of those who do.

Is there another doc at your surgery that you could book in to see, or does it have to be this doc?

Either way, I would make another appointment and go in armed with the Drug Info leaflet from your box of tablets (or a print out from a drug contraindication website - there are several to choose from). And I would highlight all the contraindications that you are experiencing. That way your doc can't dismiss your experience, or deny that the contraindications exist.

Maybe then they will agree to switch you to another drug as a trial to see if your symptoms clear up.

Good luck.

steveis36 said:

My doctor dosnt think its Gliclazide as he says theres no side effects to the drug.

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No side effects? What a joke, he hasn't read his BNF. Me, personally, I gained 10kgs without trying, no side effects indeed!

This is what NICE say:

Uncommon
Hypoglycaemia

Rare
Agranulocytosis; aplastic anaemia; blood disorders; cholestatic jaundice; haemolytic anaemia; hepatic failure; hepatitis; leucopenia; pancytopenia; thrombocytopenia

Frequency not known
Allergic skin reactions (usually in the first 6–8 weeks of therapy); constipation; diarrhoea; disturbance in liver function; erythema multiforme (usually in the first 6–8 weeks of therapy); exfoliative dermatitis (usually in the first 6–8 weeks of therapy); fever (usually in the first 6–8 weeks of therapy); gastro-intestinal disturbances; hypersensitivity reactions (usually in the first 6–8 weeks of therapy); jaundice (usually in the first 6–8 weeks of therapy); nausea; vomiting

Side-effects, further information
Hypoglycaemia
This is uncommon and usually indicates excessive dosage. Sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia may persist for many hours and must always be treated in hospital.

I don't know what they mean by uncommon, I certainly had a hypo while taking the stuff, something I hadn't been warned about because I didn't read the leaflet in the box, my fault although you would have thought my GP at the time might have mentioned it.

Brunneria has the right idea, no doctor can (should) ignore the leaflet in the box.

Hi. Side effects with Gliclazide are rare but always possible. The hypos some have are caused by the drug doing exactly what it's supposed to do and the dose should be decreased. Gliclazide's job is to stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin and in general T2s may not benefit as they may already be producing enough/too much insulin thru insulin resistance. Do ask the GP for Metformin SR (Slow Release) as it's much kinder with far fewer side effects than the standard version.

Once the drug has been stopped, you'll know for sure.

I didn't have a problem with it until it stopped working. Which is typical for me. On all meds.

How much do you take?