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Metformin & Gliclazide Tablets

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Baz.

Baz.

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Forgive me this is my first post, few weeks back I got took in to Hospital with a fast heart rate (AFib Atrial fibrillation) at which point they also run some tests one of which has shown that i have type 2 diabetes the doctor (diabetes dr at hospital ) put me on the meds above and referred me back to my gp who in turn referred me to the diabetes nurse in my dr's surgery who told me I should not be taken Gliclazide as it is not needed for my type of diabetes and should just take the Metformin which I thought was funny as a dr had put me on it , I've now asked for a 2nd option as I was not even sure a nurse could changed my meds . I was just looking for any advise on this as it's all new to me and they was a lot going through my head/mind at the time due to been told i have afib and diabetes at the same time . should my gp/nurse be changing my meds that the hospital have put me on ? can i just stop taking the Gliclazide? was I right asking for a 2nd option ? .

Sorry for the long post my mind just all over the place
 
If I understand correctly Gliclazide can cause hypoglycaemia and metformin doesn't (at least, it's much less common), so metformin's more common as a first line treatment. (I imagine metformin is much cheaper. I imagine it's also a bit different with the DVLA, if that's relevant.) None of us can say whether either is suitable for you, though.

Maybe your diabetes nurse had a good reason for changing it, but I think it's reasonable to ask about it. I would, anyway. (It might also be that the doctor thinks Gliclazide is a good medication to start with, expecting your GP and nurse to change it as necessary.)
 
Bruce Stephens said:
If I understand correctly Gliclazide can cause hypoglycaemia and metformin doesn't (at least, it's much less common), so metformin's more common as a first line treatment. (I imagine metformin is much cheaper. I imagine it's also a bit different with the DVLA, if that's relevant.) None of us can say whether either is suitable for you, though.

Maybe your diabetes nurse had a good reason for changing it, but I think it's reasonable to ask about it. I would, anyway. (It might also be that the doctor thinks Gliclazide is a good medication to start with, expecting your GP and nurse to change it as necessary.)
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thanks for you input @Bruce Stephens . Yeah at the moment I'm taking both Metformin and Gliclazide morning and night as per Hospital dr have appt with gp on thursday next week
 
Hi Baz. Both metformin and gliclazide are used to treat type 2 diabetes. The guidelines say, first try metformin and if that does not work then add gliclazide either with or without the metformin. There is a lot of trial and error involved so it is not unusual for different medics to have different opinions about the best way to go. Either way up, the nurse was not right in saying that gliclazide is not used for treating type 2. Some diabetic nurses prefer not to suggest it because it can cause your blood glucose to go too low and you need to be checking levels to make sure that does not happen. See what your GP says.
 
Hi. Gliclazide stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. T2 diabetics typically have too much insulin which can't be used properly due to insulin resistance. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis being LADA rather than T2 then Gliclazide may help otherwise I'm inclined to think your nurse has a point. Do query this at your next visit and watch out for possible hypos. Metformin is the normal default med for T2. Are you overweight or slim?
 
DaveB said:
Hi. Gliclazide stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. T2 diabetics typically have too much insulin which can't be used properly due to insulin resistance. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis being LADA rather than T2 then Gliclazide may help otherwise I'm inclined to think your nurse has a point. Do query this at your next visit and watch out for possible hypos. Metformin is the normal default med for T2. Are you overweight or slim?
Click to expand...


Overweight @DaveB
 
Baz. said:
shown that i have type 2 diabetes ... the doctor (diabetes dr at hospital ) put me on the meds [Gliclazide]
Click to expand...
Baz. said:
diabetes nurse in my dr's surgery who told me I should not be taken Gliclazide as it is not needed for my type of diabetes
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My understanding is that T2 is exactly what Gliclazide is used for. There are plenty of T2's who take it. And inject insulin.
DaveB said:
Gliclazide stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.
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And this is why. While we might have more insulin circulating that non diabetics, and T2's have insulin resistance, more insulin may help.
Since in T1, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin (due to an auto emune discorder), Gliclazide would be of no use.

Now, whether you, in particular, should be taking it is another question.

Yes, you were right to query the practice nurse, considering they were querying the diabetes doctor, and the statement about it not being for T2's.

It will have been a lot at the hospital, both with the heart problem and the diabetes. I'm guessing you might very well been more bothered about your heart at the time.
Ask about tests done at the hospital. In particular, an HbA1c. This is the diabetes test. It gives an average of blood glucose levels (BG) over 8 - 12 weeks. It is used in diagnosing diabetes. It can also be use as guide for treatment.
 
If you are taking Gliclazide, were you given a meter to test your blood glucose?
If you do not test your blood then you are not able to drive, legally - and you ought to tell the insurance company and also the DVLA.
 
Drummer said:
If you are taking Gliclazide, were you given a meter to test your blood glucose?
If you do not test your blood then you are not able to drive, legally - and you ought to tell the insurance company and also the DVLA.
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yeah got a meter @Drummer was told to test morning , afternoon and evening , again nurse says just do morning and night. I told my life insurance and I don't drive . thanks for the help
 
Ralph-YK said:
My understanding is that T2 is exactly what Gliclazide is used for. There are plenty of T2's who take it. And inject insulin.

And this is why. While we might have more insulin circulating that non diabetics, and T2's have insulin resistance, more insulin may help.
Since in T1, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin (due to an auto emune discorder), Gliclazide would be of no use.

Now, whether you, in particular, should be taking it is another question.

Yes, you were right to query the practice nurse, considering they were querying the diabetes doctor, and the statement about it not being for T2's.

It will have been a lot at the hospital, both with the heart problem and the diabetes. I'm guessing you might very well been more bothered about your heart at the time.
Ask about tests done at the hospital. In particular, an HbA1c. This is the diabetes test. It gives an average of blood glucose levels (BG) over 8 - 12 weeks. It is used in diagnosing diabetes. It can also be use as guide for treatment.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the help @Ralph-YK my Medical records have this which i take it your talking about "
Haemoglobin A1c level - IFCC standardised
67 mmol/mol " not sure what it means good or bad LOL . It was a hell of a lot at hospital my heart went up to about 205bpm for about an hour they had to restart it (you could say i had a reboot or just un plug and plug back in lol)
 
67 mmol/mol is not "good" but is by no means really bad. The tip over point from non-diabetic to diabetic is a reading of 48. Some on here have been diagnosed with readings of well over 100. 67 is pushing you into the amber zone - you need to do something but don't need to panic. That's for people without your heart problems!

Most are pescribed metformin only for this level and encouraged to change their lifestyle - principally to loose weight if you need to. This is usually organised and monitored by your GP/diabetes nurse. My guess is that your hospital doctor wanted to hit it hard because of your other problems and so put you on both medications. Question is, is it working?

Personally, I would keep taking the pills and measure blood glucose three a day, writing them all down. Take them with you whan you see your GP and he/she can use them to decide what is the best approach for you.
 
Maybe test after eating - type twos can often return to normal numbers by controlling their carbs so that they do not spike after meals. The 'set' time is two hours after starting to eat, and when starting out, single figures is good, gradually reducing over the weeks.
 
Docb said:
67 mmol/mol is not "good" but is by no means really bad. The tip over point from non-diabetic to diabetic is a reading of 48. Some on here have been diagnosed with readings of well over 100. 67 is pushing you into the amber zone - you need to do something but don't need to panic. That's for people without your heart problems!

Most are pescribed metformin only for this level and encouraged to change their lifestyle - principally to loose weight if you need to. This is usually organised and monitored by your GP/diabetes nurse. My guess is that your hospital doctor wanted to hit it hard because of your other problems and so put you on both medications. Question is, is it working?

Personally, I would keep taking the pills and measure blood glucose three a day, writing them all down. Take them with you whan you see your GP and he/she can use them to decide what is the best approach for you.
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Thanks for the help @Docb I'll hold my hand up and say i use to drink a load of Full sugar cola now drink the sugar free stuff hoping this will make some difference also the nurse is getting me on to a desmond course
 
Baz. said:
Thanks for the help @Docb I'll hold my hand up and say i use to drink a load of Full sugar cola now drink the sugar free stuff hoping this will make some difference also the nurse is getting me on to a desmond course
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Unfortunately it isn't just Sugar that is a problem for Type 2 diabetics, Starches are a problem too since they break down into sugar so fast that there is no difference between the 2 on a Continuous Monitoring BG meter. So you need to try and cut down on Breakfast Cereals, Bread, Potatoes, Rice as well as cakes and sugary drinks - even Fruit Juice.

Here is a Website which shows the carbohydrate equivalent teaspoons of Sugar in common foods: https://phcuk.org/sugar/
 
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Had my appointment with the Dr today and she has changed my Metformin from 1 @500mg tablet twice a day to 2 @500mg tablets twice a day and changed my gliclazide from 80mg in the morning and 40mg at night to just 40mg in the morning she is going to review it in 10 weeks time , she has also put me on 20mg once a day of Atorvastatin (says to take just before bed ) just to be safe due to my type 2 and my afib
 
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