Glucodex: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is glucodex used for?

Glucodex is a brand of oral medicine in the form of tablets containing the active ingredient gliclazide. This drug belongs to the sulfonylurea drug class, oral hypoglycemics, namely anti-diabetes drugs.

This drug is indeed used to regulate or control blood sugar levels in the body in type 2 diabetes patients. Generally, this drug will only be given if blood sugar levels are not stable even though the patient has made lifestyle changes, such as exercise and regular eating patterns.

The way this drug works is by increasing the levels of insulin released by the pancreas, so that sugar levels can be more easily broken down and processed. Because this drug is used to regulate blood sugar, it can also prevent heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and blindness.

This medicine must be purchased with a doctor's prescription, so you cannot buy it over the counter if it is not accompanied by a prescription.

How do I use glucodex?

There are several rules for using drugs that you should know when using this drug, including:

• Use this medication according to the instructions given by your doctor. If you have forgotten anything, read over your doctor's prescription notes or ask him or her in person.
• This medication is best taken when the stomach is filled with food. We recommend that you immediately use the medicine right after eating.
• Although glucodex contains gliclazide, other medicines containing the same active ingredient do not necessarily work or function the same as glucodex.
• If your doctor has prescribed a drug with this brand, do not change the brand of medicine you are using without your doctor's knowledge and approval.
• Many factors are used to determine the dose for you such as your weight, any other health conditions you have, and any other medicines you take. So, do not change the dose prescribed by your doctor.
• To end using the drug or stop using this drug, you must first consult with your doctor to find out how to stop using the drug, because stopping suddenly increases the risk of using the drug.

How do I store glucodex?

If you use glucodex, you should know how to store it properly and safely. There are several things you should know, such as:

• Glucodex is best stored at room temperature.
• Keep this medication out of reach and sight of children and pets.
• Do not store this medicine in a place that is too hot or too humid because this can damage the quality of the medicine.
• Do not store this drug in the bathroom, considering the bathroom is a damp place.
• Do not expose this medication to direct sunlight or light.
• Do not store and freeze this medication in the freezer.

Meanwhile, if the medicine has expired or if you are no longer using this medicine, you are advised to discard it. There are procedures you must follow to dispose of medicinal products, including glucodex. This is done so that the medicinal products you throw away do not pollute the environment.

One of them, do not throw this medicine at the same time as other household waste. Do not also flush this medication into drains or toilets.

If you are not sure how to properly and safely dispose of drug waste, you can ask your pharmacist or staff from your local waste disposal agency.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for glucodex for adults?

Adult dosage for type 2 diabetes

• Initial dose: 40-80 milligrams (mg) taken by mouth once a day.
• This dose can be added by a doctor according to your health condition.
• The daily dose of more than two tablets should be divided into two times of use with the same dose size.
• Maximum daily dose: 320 mg

What is the dose of glucodex for children?

The dosage for glucodex for children has not been determined. If you want to use this drug for children, consult with your doctor first. Make sure that you know the benefits and risks of using this drug. Only use this medicine for children if the doctor gives permission.

In what dosage is glucodex available?

Glucodex 80 mg tablets

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of using glucodex?

No different from other medicines on the market, glucodex also has a risk of side effects from use. In order for you to deal with these risks if they occur, you must first know what side effects can be caused.

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following side effects:

• The abdominal area hurts
• The back, muscles and joints ache
• Constipation or difficulty defecating
• Diarrhea
• The head hurts and feels dizzy
• Heartburn
• The skin becomes more sensitive to sun exposure
• Nausea and vomiting

The above side effects may be mild, and may go away on their own. However, if the condition does not get better soon or if it gets worse, you should get medical attention immediately.

In addition there are also other side effects that are more serious, but rare, such as:

• Skin rash
• Swelling because the blood sugar level is too low
• The eyesight becomes blurred
• A cold sweat
• You feel in a daze
• It's hard to concentrate
• It's easy to feel anxious
• It's easy to feel hungry
• The heart beats very fast
• Headache like a hangover
• Easily sleepy
• Often have nightmares
• The body feels very tired for no reason
• Trouble speaking
• Jaundice (characterized by yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Weight gain for no reason

Other, much more serious side effects include:

• Short or short breaths
• Seizures
• Chest pain
• Hard to breathe
• Swelling of the face and throat
• Peeling skin
• Skin rash that spreads all over the body
• Unconscious

If you experience the above serious side effects, you should immediately stop using this drug and contact your doctor. Get immediate medical attention.

Warnings & Precautions

What should be known before using glucodex?

Before deciding to use this drug, there are several things you should know, including:

• Do not use this medication if you are allergic to glucodex or its main active ingredient, gliclazide.
• Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not use this medication if you are undergoing surgery or are experiencing severe trauma.
• Do not use this medication if you have a serious enough infection.
• Do not use this drug if your kidneys and liver are not functioning properly.
• Do not give this medicine to children under 14 years of age.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
• Tell me about all types of medicines that you are currently using or have used, from prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, multivitamins, to various herbal products.
• Use of this medicine increases your risk of developing low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia, especially if you are on a strict diet or the nutrition in your body is imbalanced.
• If after using this medicine you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Is glucodex safe to use for pregnant and lactating women?

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, tell your doctor. This drug is not recommended for consumption by pregnant women, because the active ingredient in it, gliclazide, can interfere with fetal development. Therefore, if in the middle of using this drug you suddenly become pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

This drug can also be released from breast milk (ASI) so that mothers who are breastfeeding are not advised to use glucodex. The reason is, if this drug is accidentally consumed by a breastfeeding baby, it can have a negative impact on the health of the baby.

Interaction

What medicines can interact with glucodex?

This drug can also interact with other medicines if taken at the same time. The interactions between drugs that occur can increase the risk of side effects or change the way the drugs work in the body.

Therefore, it is important for you to record all types of drugs you use and give them to your doctor so that you can help prevent unwanted interactions.

The following is a list of drugs that can interact with glucodex, including:

• Other medicines used to treat high blood sugar
• Medicines to treat depression (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
• Medicines to treat high blood pressure (captopril or enalapril)
• Medicines for heart problems such as chest tightness, erratic heartbeat, heart failure (beta blockers)
• Medicines to treat arthritis (phenylbutazone)
• Medicines to treat infections (antibiotics)
• Medicines to treat blood thinners (anticoagulants)
• Medicines to treat stomach ulcers (cimetidine)
• Medicines to treat psychosis (chlorpromazine)
• Medicines to suppress the immune system (corticosteroids)
• Medicines to reduce pain (painkillers) like ibuprofen
• Drugs containing alcohol
• Medicines to treat asthma
• Medicines used during childbirth
• Medicines used to treat breast disease

What foods and alcohol can interact with glucodex?

Certain medications should not be consumed at mealtimes or when eating certain types of food because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco-derived products with certain drugs can also cause interactions.

It is not recommended that you consume alcohol at the same time as taking drugs that contain gliclazide.

The reason is, this can cause side effect reactions such as nausea, or an increased heart rhythm. Always discuss with your doctor about any type of food and drink you consume while using glucodex.

What health conditions can interact with glucodex?

Not only drugs and food can interact with this drug, your health conditions can also cause interactions if you take this drug. Therefore, tell your doctor if you have certain health conditions, especially those listed below:

• Anemia. The interaction that occurs between this drug and anemia can cause damage to red blood cells. In addition, this condition can also affect the effectiveness of drug use.
• Strict diet. If you are on a strict diet and are taking this drug at the same time, you may have hypoglycemia. This happens because the amount of nutrients in the body is not balanced.
• Stress or trauma. If you feel stressed while using this medicine, you may lose control of the blood sugar levels in the body.
• Impaired kidney function. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, using this drug will increase your risk of side effects.
• Impaired liver function. As with impaired kidney function, if while using this medicine your liver does not work properly, using the drug will only further damage the liver condition.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

If you take too much of this drug, you may experience hypoglycemia which is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Hunger easily
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleep disturbance
• Aggressive attitude
• Can't concentrate
• Depression
• Confusion
• Visual disturbances
• Trouble speaking
• Tremor
• Sensor interference
• The heart beats fast
• High blood pressure
• Extreme pain in the chest

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it turns out that when you are about to take the missed dose, it is time to tell you to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose because a double dose will not guarantee that you will benefit from using this medicine any sooner than using the usual dose. Also, you do not know whether doubling the dose will not increase the risk of side effects from taking the drug or not.

Always consult your doctor about the dosage of drug use, because the doctor who checks your condition will know more about using the dose that is more appropriate and in accordance with your health condition.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.