how long does it take for gliclazide to work

Hi Andy.
None of the medications prescribed are wonder drugs. We have to help them to do their work.
Most people reduce their carbohydrate intake at the same time to try and achieve lower Bg levels, and to reduce weight.

The Weetabix in particular is high in carbohydrates so I would suggest that may not have been an ideal start to the day, especially as pre meal your Bg was high. That is why your 2 hr test was even higher.

It is not just sugars you need to avoid, it is Carbohydrates which include sugars, read the total carb content of any foods. That is THE important number, not sugars.

The main carbs to avoid or maybe reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such a bread, potatoes, pasta and rice also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If your fasting level was taken at 10am were you doing anything previous to that or was that when you actually woke ? Any activity could make your Bg levels rise significantly. If that was a true fasting level then it is possible you may have been a victim of Dawn Phenomenon. This is when your body dumps extra glucose into your blood to prepare you for the day ahead. Elevating your Bg levels.

Exercise is another confusing one, it can elevate your Bg levels, it can also decrease them as well. Only way to find out is by testing before during and after exercise.

Don't despair, it is all a bit confusing at first but we here will do our best to help you and advise where we can.

andy_hull said:

I have two training days in January provided by NHS Hull, the first one is called understanding diabetes and the 2nd is called managing carbs. One question I am going to ask is why they don't just give everyone insulin rather than messing about with all the tablets.

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Insulin.....can be the best thing since ......sliced bread (not !).

A lot of people, myself included try to avoid going onto Insulin because it can cause weight gain. Now, as someone who has lost over 5 stone since January why would I want to do that ? I may have to because of an unrelated problem I now have which is affecting my BG levels, however it is certainly not through choice. I can manage the tablets and my diet very well. It just took a little time to get used to everything.

Be aware also that there are many other alternatives which can decrease blood glucose levels and weight very efficiently, Byetta or Victoza. These subjects are comprehensively covered in the Diabetes Drugs and Medication area here.

Insulin would not be everybodys choice......however there are also many who have no problems with it at all.

My father takes gliclazide 80mg morning and 80mg tea-time. He has his morning tabs at 9.30 and his tea-time tabs at 4.30. He also has Parkinson's. What I want to know is if his carers come at 3.30 for his tea call and he doesn't have his tabs until 4.30 what will happen to his BS levels. I am not sure how gliclazide works.

He doesn't test at all and hadn't seen anyone re his diabetes for nearly 2 years until December last year when the doctor came. I wasn't there so I don't know what happened. I am insulin dependent and sometimes test his BS but not sure when the best time to test is also how much carbohydrate should he be eating. Don't want him to have hypo's as he falls quite often with his Parkinson's. Can anyone help?

suzyl100 wrote

I am not sure how gliclazide works.

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Correct me if I am wrong someone. but Glicazide encourages the Pancreas to produce insulin.

suffolkboi61 said:

suzyl100 wrote

I am not sure how gliclazide works.

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Correct me if I am wrong someone. but Glicazide encourages the Pancreas to produce insulin.

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For you and Suzy.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12144&start=0

Can U TELL ME WHAT LEVELS ARE WHAT 4MM/BS r normal 4-7 not to bad 7-10 slightly high 10-15 high 15-20 v-high 20-25 v/risky over 33.3 bg dial 999 is this accurate,