Diamicron 60mg MR (Gliclazide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Diamicron 60mg MR Used For?
Diamicron 60mg MR contains gliclazide, which belongs to a group of medicines called sulphonylureas. The medicine releases the active ingredient progressively over 24 hours to help control blood sugar levels.
Primary Uses
Diamicron 60mg MR is used to control blood glucose (sugar) in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes. It’s used when diet and exercise alone are not enough to control your blood glucose levels.
How It Works
Diamicron 60mg MR lowers blood glucose by increasing the amount of insulin (a hormone that controls blood glucose levels) produced by your pancreas. It helps prevent serious long-term health problems involving the heart, eyes, circulation, and kidneys that can result from poorly controlled diabetes.
Good to know: Diamicron 60mg MR is not addictive and can be used alone or together with insulin or other diabetes medicines.
How to Take Diamicron 60mg MR
Follow all directions given by your doctor, pharmacist, and diabetes educator carefully. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day and may adjust the dose based on your blood glucose levels.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. Tablets can be broken in half but should not be crushed or chewed as this may change their effectiveness. Take at the same time each day, usually with breakfast. Taking with food helps minimize the risk of low blood sugar. Do not skip meals while taking this medication.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember (with food), then return to your normal schedule. Missed doses can cause high blood glucose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may cause dangerously low blood glucose levels.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat
- Back pain, joint pain
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Headache, unusual weakness
- Dizziness
- Stomach upset, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Temporary vision changes (especially at start of treatment)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic reactions (skin rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathing difficulty)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (widespread blistering or peeling skin)
- DRESS syndrome (flu-like symptoms, facial rash, extended rash with high fever)
- Severe blood cell changes (unusual bleeding, bruising, sore throat, fever, paleness)
- Liver problems (jaundice)
- Severe hypoglycemia (loss of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, loss of consciousness, fitting)
Important Warnings
There are certain people who should not take Diamicron 60mg MR and conditions that require special monitoring. Always inform your healthcare providers about your medical history.
Who Should Not Take Diamicron 60mg MR
Do not take if you are allergic to gliclazide, other sulphonylureas, sulfa antibiotics, or thiazide diuretics; have Type 1 diabetes; have unstable diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis; have severe kidney or liver disease; are taking miconazole antibiotic; or if the medication is expired or damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, history of diabetic coma, adrenal/pituitary/thyroid problems, heart failure, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, or lactose intolerance. Also inform them of any illness, injury, surgery, or changes in diet, exercise, or medication that may affect blood sugar.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Diamicron 60mg MR if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, as it may affect your developing baby. Insulin is more suitable during pregnancy. Not recommended while breastfeeding as it’s unknown whether the medicine passes into breast milk.
Children: Do not give Diamicron 60mg MR to children – there is no experience with its use in pediatric patients.
Drug Interactions
Diamicron 60mg MR may interact with many medications, potentially increasing or decreasing blood sugar levels. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medicines you’re taking.
Alcohol Warning: Alcohol can cause unpredictable blood sugar changes and may cause flushing, headache, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, and stomach problems.
- Miconazole (contraindicated)
- Alcohol
- Other diabetes medicines (biguanides, insulin)
- Blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers)
- Antidepressants (MAOIs, chlorpromazine)
- Cholesterol medicines (clofibrate)
- Pain medications (high-dose aspirin, ibuprofen, phenylbutazone)
- Antibiotics (chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, fluoroquinolones)
- Epilepsy medicines (danazol)
- St John’s Wort
- Hormones (estrogen, progesterone)
- Asthma medicines (salbutamol, terbutaline)
- Barbiturates
- Glucocorticoids
- Blood thinners (warfarin)
Alcohol & Driving
Special precautions are needed when consuming alcohol or operating vehicles and machinery while taking Diamicron 60mg MR.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol while taking Diamicron 60mg MR may cause flushing, headache, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol can also cause unpredictable changes in blood sugar levels.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Diamicron 60mg MR affects you. The medication may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Low blood glucose levels may slow your reaction time and affect your ability to drive safely. Do not drive if you experience these effects.
Sun Sensitivity
Protect your skin when in the sun, especially between 10am and 3pm. Sulphonylureas may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, potentially causing rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn. Wear protective clothing and use 30+ sunscreen when outdoors.
Storage
Keep tablets in their original blister pack until ready to use, as they won’t keep as well outside the packaging. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills as heat and dampness can damage the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Diamicron 60mg MR, immediately call your doctor, Diabetes Australia, or Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) even if there are no symptoms. Overdose may cause severe low blood sugar with symptoms progressing to loss of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, loss of consciousness, and fitting. At first signs of low blood sugar, consume sugar immediately and seek medical help if symptoms don’t improve quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diamicron 60mg MR releases gliclazide progressively over 24 hours. You should take it consistently as prescribed and monitor your blood glucose levels regularly to see how well it’s controlling your diabetes.
Yes, you should take Diamicron 60mg MR with food, usually with breakfast. Taking it with food helps minimize the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
No, Diamicron 60mg MR is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Diamicron 60mg MR or change the dosage without checking with your doctor. The medication helps control your diabetes but doesn’t cure it, so you may need to take it for a long time.
Be cautious with alcohol as it can cause flushing, headache, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol can also cause unpredictable changes in blood sugar levels.
Yes, elderly people can generally use Diamicron 60mg MR safely. There are no special instructions for older people taking this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember (with food), then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose as this may cause dangerously low blood sugar.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.