Gliclazide side effects

kazlincs said:

Hi, I've noticed since being on Gliclazide for a few weeks, I'm experiencing feelings of slight anxiety, weak legs and just generally not feeling quite right.. much like I do when I'm low... However I'm feeling like this for most of the day now including when my reading was 14.6!! I really thought I was going low because of the way I felt..
I dropped to 11.6, an hour later I had a bit of pasta ready for work, as I'm on my feet moving around and felt the same symptoms but a bit worse after another 40 mins and I thought I would check it, just in case she it had dropped to 4.1...
I'm so confused, as I had half a pasta dish that I had bought ready made. It just seems to be such a quick drop!
All I can think, is that maybe I need a smaller dose than 80mg, or it just doesn't suit me. Has anyone else had any side effects like this?

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Did it drop to 4.1?
When are you taking gliclazide?

kazlincs said:

Yes it had dropped to 4.1. but the feelings are constant whether high or low.
Seems to start about 4hrs after I've taken the tablet with my breakfast, I also take 2 Metformin SR with it, then 2 more Metformin with my last meal of the day.

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What time do you take the gliclazide? Are you eating carbohydrates with your meal? Are you doing any significant exercise after taking?

It's quite a significant drop from 14 to 4.1.

@kazlincs you are showing on my laptop as being Type 2 Insulin Dependant but on orals. I think this may ba a bug in the forum software but could you please check your profile data. As has been said, a drop from 14 to 4 is very large, and unlikely to be fron the single tablet of Gliclazide alone. I am a Glic user, and I can see 3 or 4 sometimes.

The feeling funny effect may be what we call a false hypo which is your body reacting to a sudden drop in sugar levels but occuring while the levels are above normal hypo territory (3.9 or lower)

I am wondering if this effect is from something we call Reactive Hypoglycemia (RH) which is actually not diabetes but is still a metabolic problem. I believe that the symptoms are a sudden rise after eating followed by a sudden crash to low levels or hypo. I will tag @Lamont D who I believe has this condition and may be better placed to assist.

This may help (from the main DCUK website)

Antje77 said:

It's a very annoying forum bug, which our tech team has been trying to sort for years.
Only some people can see the bug (and I'm not one of them).

If you go to Account Details and scroll down to Type of diabetes, there are 2 options for type 2.
One of them shows as type 2 on insulin for some users, like @Oldvatr .
I'm not sure which one because I can't see the bug, sorry.

@kazlincs , I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but could you try to select the other Type 2?
And @Oldvatr , would you mind checking if the change has worked after she tried? This is a moderator's job really, but I can't see the stupid bug!

View attachment 60609

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I just checked my own profile and my list goes
Type 1
Type 2
Type 2 Insulin Dependant

so I would suggest that the upper one on your listing is the Type 2 on orals.

kazlincs said:

Yes it had dropped to 4.1. but the feelings are constant whether high or low.
Seems to start about 4hrs after I've taken the tablet with my breakfast, I also take 2 Metformin SR with it, then 2 more Metformin with my last meal of the day.

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Firstly, at 4.1mmols, it is not a hypo. But a retest might have given a different reading as the first could have been a rogue reading. The high reading again might be the glucometer or could be the really high carbs you are eating, my blood glucose levels would be similar if I had the toast and beans, never mind the pasta, my BG levels would be mid teens.
The Gliczide is designed to lower BG levels but not that quickly.
The drug should have built up in your system, but it doesn't seem to be agreeing or working for you. Or because of your carb intake, is not as effective.
I would imagine your GP, is trying the Gliczide to see some reduction in your hba1c levels or your fasting levels.
As a T2, you are carb intolerant to a certain degree. So a low carb dietary intake is necessary if you want to see improvement.
I would speak to your GP, about the drugs you are taking, taking that much metformin will not be helping either.
Especially if you are feeling rough.
I am uncertain if it is RH or something similar, as this seems to be an one off event at the very least.

kazlincs said:

Thanks everyone, I've just checked and it definitely says type 2 oral medication.

I've got one more week of Gliclazide left, and I'm going to see how I am by midweek, if it keeps happening I'll speak to my doctor. Like I say I'm also on 4 Metformin SR a day, so I may need to drop one of those..

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Not here it doesn't.

kazlincs said:

Thanks everyone, I've just checked and it definitely says type 2 oral medication.

I've got one more week of Gliclazide left, and I'm going to see how I am by midweek, if it keeps happening I'll speak to my doctor. Like I say I'm also on 4 Metformin SR a day, so I may need to drop one of those..

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It might keep happening because of your high carb intake, if that is a typical meal for you.
do please, have a look at our low carb forum.