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GLIMEPIRIDE, driving and testing.

berylc

berylc

Well-Known Member
Messages
787
Location
Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
When people who know nothing about the LCHF diet tell me I'm killing myself being on it. I was killing myself not being on it!
I have been having a discussion with a type 2 diabetic who is taking Glimepiride, but has been told not to test as he ''doesn't need to''. My argument is, how do you know if your levels are high or low on this medication if you don't test? Also, if you want to drive are you safe? Also does the DVLA need to be told about the medication?

THE TITLE SHOULD BE GLIMEPIRIDE...... NOT INEPTITUDE! Predictive text and not proof reading!
 
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That's not insulin, it's a oral hypoglycemic. They don't carry the risk of getting hypo like insulin does, so it's not uncommon for Type 2 diabetics that take them to not test like we do. They can get high but they don't get low taking that drug.
 
I think only those on insulin and gliclazide (less so than insulin) as their medication have rules set out by the DVLA relating to driving and reporting them unless it's a HGV licence.
 
TheBigNewt said:
That's not insulin, it's a oral hypoglycemic. They don't carry the risk of getting hypo like insulin does, so it's not uncommon for Type 2 diabetics that take them to not test like we do. They can get high but they don't get low taking that drug.
Click to expand...

This is from a NHS webiste
"A hypo (hypoglycaemia) is considered to be when blood sugar levels fall under 4 mmol/L. People with diabetes who take insulin or tablets such as Gliclazide or Glimepiride are at risk of having a hypo."

http://www.berkshirewestdiabetes.org.uk/diabetics/managing-your-diabetes/copy_of_the-hypo
 
TheBigNewt said:
That's not insulin, it's a oral hypoglycemic. They don't carry the risk of getting hypo like insulin does, so it's not uncommon for Type 2 diabetics that take them to not test like we do. They can get high but they don't get low taking that drug.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but that is complete rubbish! Glimperide is a drug that stimulates the pancreas to produce extra insulin. Too much and you hypo. https://www.drugs.com/cdi/glimepiride.html
 
Glimperide is a drug that your are required to inform the DVLA if you are taking.

They will then tell you what steps you are required to follow.

It is always best to inform the DVLA of any health issues, as they will give you the correct advice/information.
 
berylc said:
I have been having a discussion with a type 2 diabetic who is taking Glimepiride, but has been told not to test as he ''doesn't need to''. My argument is, how do you know if your levels are high or low on this medication if you don't test? Also, if you want to drive are you safe? Also does the DVLA need to be told about the medication?
Click to expand...

NICE recommendations say a person on oral medication that may increase their risk of hypoglycaemia while driving or operating machinery should be given testing equipment.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/1-Recommendations#blood-glucose-management-2

Diabetes and driving
https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving
 
Unbelievable how many diabetics have the wrong information regarding driving....too many inaccurate know it alls on here...!!!!
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Sorry, but that is complete rubbish! Glimperide is a drug that stimulates the pancreas to produce extra insulin. Too much and you hypo. https://www.drugs.com/cdi/glimepiride.html
Click to expand...
Does anyone remember the problems caused by the original adverts for Yorkies, being the Trucker's Bar? They figured that drivers (who could not have been insulin dependent) of any kind were liable to hypo at the wheel because eating them caused a momentary spike in insulin levels. In theory, doesn't that mean that anyone could "hypo" at the wheel?
 
People with diabetes who drive cars or motorbikes and who are treated by diet or non-insulin injections, don't need to inform the DVLA unless advised to by their doctor or nurse.

However,
Bus, coach or lorry licence
You must tell DVLA if your diabetes is treated by tablets or non-insulin injections.
https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving
​
On another gov.uk page, it says

Group 1 – cars and motorbikes​

Motorists do not need to notify DVLA if they are on any non-insulin medication unless they have suffered from 2 episodes of severe hypoglycaemia within the last 12 months, developed impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia or suffer visual problems.
Group 2 – buses and lorries
Motorists need to tell DVLA if you have any form of diabetes for which you take medication.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...n-they-should-tell-dvla-if-they-have-diabetes​
 
Dark Horse said:
People with diabetes who drive cars or motorbikes and who are treated by diet or non-insulin injections, don't need to inform the DVLA unless advised to by their doctor or nurse.
Click to expand...

I posted something similar earlier but removed it as it seems DVLA/gov.uk cannot make their minds up and host conflicting information regarding treatment that isn't insulin. This page (specifically the section linked to) hosts the most recently updated information. It seems reading from the change history at the bottom of the page that they have had to update their guidelines in line with the EU in January.

Edit: The list is still not crystal clear. Note the '!' next to sulphonylureas and glinides which means "May continue to drive subject to medical advice and/or notifying the DVLA."
 
Aahhhhh.....

I have Class 2 licenses on the brain. Most days I have to give advise to Bus & Coach drivers on different forums about medical issues.

As @Dark Horse states, only Class 2 licence holders are subject to such a strict reporting criteria.

As part of my job working for a Trade Association I have quarterly meetings with a DVLA group. Apparently they currently deal with over 700,000 medical cases annually, of which about 500,000 are medical conditions that affect driving.

Despite being underfunded like most Government Departments they appear to like it this way and would prefer to be informed about everything, although the 1,000’s of Class 2 drivers who have their licences suspended (and lose their livelihood) whilst DVLA conducts further enquiries would probably prefer the system wasn’t being clogged up by people reporting conditions they are not required to.
 
TheBigNewt said:
That's not insulin, it's a oral hypoglycemic. They don't carry the risk of getting hypo like insulin does, so it's not uncommon for Type 2 diabetics that take them to not test like we do. They can get high but they don't get low taking that drug.
Click to expand...
Sorry but you are wrong - sulfonylureas can most certainly cause hypos
Ive been on Gliclazide( same class of drugs) for the last 21 years
My record hypo from the early years following diagnosis was a 2 .1.
At my diabetic review earlier this week, my Gliclizide dose was cut in half to 30mg as my hba1c was 40 with evidence of hypos - driving safety was a major issue concerning my consultant endocrinologist
 
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db89 said:
I posted something similar earlier but removed it as it seems DVLA/gov.uk cannot make their minds up and host conflicting information regarding treatment that isn't insulin. This page (specifically the section linked to) hosts the most recently updated information. It seems reading from the change history at the bottom of the page that they have had to update their guidelines in line with the EU in January.

Edit: The list is still not crystal clear. Note the '!' next to sulphonylureas and glinides which means "May continue to drive subject to medical advice and/or notifying the DVLA."
Click to expand...
Presumably the “may” and the “and/ or” vary depending on whether or not 2 hypos requiring assistance have been experienced
 
https://assets.publishing.service.g...56/diab1-confidential-medical-information.pdf This is the dvla notification document. The crucial questions (other than insulin) seem to be lack of hypo awareness, 2 or more waking hypos and if assistance was required. This matches their document https://assets.publishing.service.g...vers-with-diabetes-treated-by-non-insulin.pdf

For safety of both yourself, the public and your legal driving status if you cannot truthfully answer the questions in this document you should be notifying dvla and being assessed.

I fail to see how a driver can answer these questions if on a medication that may cause hypos like sulphonylureas (glimeperide/gliclazide etc) if they never test and do not have the ability to do so themselves. Hence the reason anyone on these medications should be prescribed testing strips etc - and we need to push out drs and nurses for them if not in order to remain safe and legal.

NICE guidelines confirm this need https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/Recommendations 1.6.13 and also here https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/diabetes-type-2/management/management-adults/

This is what the “other” organisation have to say on the matter (the same advice in a different format) https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/driving/driving-licence
 
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