From the Research
The maximum recommended dose of Gliclazide is 320 mg per day, as indicated by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This medication, which belongs to the sulfonylurea class, is typically started at a lower dose of 40-80 mg daily and gradually increased based on blood glucose response. Gliclazide works by stimulating insulin release from pancreatic beta cells and is used to manage type 2 diabetes. The medication is usually divided into two daily doses when exceeding 160 mg per day to optimize glucose control throughout the day. Some key points to consider when prescribing Gliclazide include:
- For the modified-release (MR) formulation, the recommended dose may be increased to 270 mg, as suggested by the study 1, with more patients achieving HbA1c goals without a hypoglycaemic risk higher than the resulting risk from the recommended immediate-release dose.
- Patients should be aware that exceeding the maximum recommended dose increases the risk of hypoglycemia without providing additional therapeutic benefit.
- Dose adjustments may be necessary for elderly patients or those with renal or hepatic impairment, and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is essential when taking this medication.
- The overall incidence of symptoms suggestive of hypoglycaemia was found to be low in studies, such as the one reported in 2, with no severe episodes, even in elderly patients and patients with impaired renal function. It is essential to follow the guidelines and recommendations from the most recent and highest quality studies, such as 1, to ensure the safe and effective use of Gliclazide in clinical practice.