What is Gliclazide for:
This medication is an oral hypoglycemic (anti-diabetic drug), prescribed for type 2 diabetes.
How does Gliclazide work:
It stimulates the pancreas, which helps in more insulin secretion.
How should Gliclazide be used:
It comes as a tablet to take by mouth, with food. Initially start with 160mgs daily in two divided doses. May go up to 320 mgs daily in two divided doses.
Common side effects of Gliclazide :
Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar. Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals, good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help. Weight gain.
What do I do if I miss a dose
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.
What precautions should I take when taking Gliclazide :
If you have an allergy to gliclazide or any other part of this drug. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs. If you have a sulfa (sulfonamide) allergy, talk with your doctor. If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem, very bad kidney disease, very bad liver disease, or type 1 diabetes. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. If you are breast-feeding.
When do I need to seek medical help
If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away. Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue or gray skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain. Very upset stomach or throwing up.
Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar. Any rash. Side effect or health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.
Can I take Gliclazide with other medicines:
Sometimes drugs are not safe when you take them with certain other drugs and food. - Taking them together can cause bad side effects. - Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the drugs you take.
Are there any food restrictions
Avoid Alcohol
How do I store Gliclazide :
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. - Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Pregnancy Category
Category C : Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Therapeutic Classification
Antidiabetic Agents
What is Metformin for:
This medication is an oral antidiabetic agent, prescribed for type 2 diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels.
How does Metformin work:
Metformin lowers sugar and helps insulin work better.
How should Metformin be used:
Take Metformin exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor. - Metformin must be taken regularly for it to work well. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by your doctor. - Metformin must be taken with food. - If you are taking an extended-release type of Metformin, swallow the tablet whole with food. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
Common side effects of Metformin :
Low blood sugar signs include, anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar. - Belly pain. - Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals, good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help. - Loose stools (diarrhea). - Not hungry. - Bad taste in your mouth. This most often goes back to normal. - Too much acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) may rarely happen.
What do I do if I miss a dose
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. - If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. - Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. - Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.
What precautions should I take when taking Metformin :
Metformin may not be suitable for you if you suffer from heart, liver, kidney, adrenal or pituitary disease. - Alert your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. - If you are going for an operation, dental work or any X-ray procedure in which a dye is injected, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Metformin. - You may need to stop taking Metformin before the procedure and wait 48 hours to restart your medicine.
When do I need to seek medical help
If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away. - Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. - These include wheezing, chest tightness, fever, itching, bad cough, blue or gray skin color, seizures, or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. - Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar. - Very bad dizziness. - Trouble breathing. - Feeling cold. - Very bad belly pain. - Very upset stomach or throwing up. - Very loose stools (diarrhea). - A big weight loss. - Very bad muscle pain or weakness. - Feeling very tired or weak. - Any rash. - Side effect or health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Can I take Metformin with other medicines:
A type of heart medicine called beta-blockers may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia when taken with Metformin. Some examples of beta-blockers are metoprolol, atenolol and propranolol. - Inform your doctor if you are taking diuretics (medicines to remove excess water) such as hydrochlorothiazide; a group of heart medicine such as captopril or enalapril; a type of gastric medicine called cimetidine or birth control pills. - Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Are there any food restrictions
It is important for you to maintain a healthy diet and weight in order to help keep your diabetes under control. - Avoid alcohol.
How do I store Metformin :
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. - Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Pregnancy Category
Category B : Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women OR Animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in any trimester.
Therapeutic Classification
Antidiabetic Agents
What is Pioglitazone for:
This medication is a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic, prescribed for type 2 diabetes in certain patients. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines. It lowers blood sugar by reducing insulin resistance.
How does Pioglitazone work:
Pioglitazone helps your body use the insulin it makes better.
How should Pioglitazone be used:
It comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with or without meals. Adult: PO- The recommended dose is 15 to 30 mg once daily. Max: 45 mgday.
Common side effects of Pioglitazone :
Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar. Headache. Swelling. Weight gain. Nose irritation. Cough. Feeling tired or weak. Weak bones. Heart failure may happen. Harm to the liver may rarely happen. Bladder cancer may rarely happen.
What do I do if I miss a dose
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.
What precautions should I take when taking Pioglitazone :
If you have an allergy to pioglitazone or any other part of this drug. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs. If you have a very weak heart. If you are breast-feeding.
When do I need to seek medical help
If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away. Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue or gray skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain. Trouble breathing. Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar. Very bad belly pain. Swelling in your legs or belly. Very upset stomach or throwing up. Not able to eat. A big weight gain. Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes. Feeling very tired or weak. Sudden change in eyesight or in the way you see color. Pain when passing urine or blood in urine. Any rash. Side effect or health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.
Can I take Pioglitazone with other medicines:
Sometimes drugs are not safe when you take them with certain other drugs and food. - Taking them together can cause bad side effects. - Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the drugs you take.
Are there any food restrictions
Avoid Alcohol
How do I store Pioglitazone :
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. - Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Pregnancy Category
Category C : Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Therapeutic Classification
Antidiabetic Agents