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Gliclazide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps your pancreas make more insulin, which lowers the amount of sugar in your blood.

It is used together with a healthy diet and exercise, and sometimes with other diabetes medicines. It is usually a long-term treatment.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Your dose may be changed over a few weeks.

• Take it at the same time each day, after a meal, to lower the chance of stomach upset.
• Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water.
• Do not skip or delay meals, as this can make your blood sugar drop too low.
• Keep taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next is nearly due. Never take 2 doses together.

Common side effects include:

• stomach pain
• diarrhoea
• low blood sugar (hypo): feeling shaky, dizzy, sick, very hungry or tired. Eat or drink something sugary straight away.

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• yellow skin or eyes, or feel sick and are being sick (possible liver problems)
• bruising easily, a sore throat or a high temperature (possible blood problems)
• swelling of the throat or tongue, a raised itchy rash or trouble breathing
• hypos that keep happening

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to gliclazide or a similar medicine
• have severe kidney or liver disease
• have acute porphyria, a rare blood disorder

Some medicines can affect it, including insulin and other diabetes medicines, weight-loss medicines such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, some antibiotics such as clarithromycin, and some heart and blood pressure medicines. Tell your pharmacist about everything you take.

Store as directed on the pack or leaflet, and keep out of the reach of children. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: gliclazide is not usually used. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding, as you may be switched to another treatment.

Alcohol: best avoided, as it can affect your blood sugar.

Driving: do not drive or use machinery if you feel dizzy or sleepy, or have signs of a hypo.