Gliclazide 60 mg (er) + Metformin 500 mg (er)

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Gliclazide + Metformin Uses

Gliclazide 60 mg + Metformin 500 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of antidiabetic drugs and is used for the management of type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

Gliclazide + Metformin side effects 

More Common  

1. Difficulty with swallowing 
2. Dizziness 
3. Fast heartbeat 
4. Hives, itching, skin rash 
5. Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue 
6. Tightness in the chest 
7. Trouble breathing 
8. Unusual tiredness or weakness 
9. Abdominal or stomach discomfort 
10. Cough or hoarseness 
11. Decreased appetite 
12. Diarrhea 
13. Fast or shallow breathing 
14. Fever or chills 
15. General feeling of discomfort 
16. Lower back or side pain 
17. Muscle pain or cramping 
18. Painful or difficult urination 
19. Sleepiness 

Less Common 

1. Abdominal or stomach pain 
2. Chills 
3. Clay-colored stools 
4. Dark urine 
5. Diarrhea 
6. Fever 
7. Headache 
8. Light-colored stools 
9. Loss of appetite 
10. Nausea and vomiting 
11. Unpleasant breath odor 
12. Upper right abdominal or stomach pain 
13. Vomiting of blood 
14. Yellow eyes and skin 
15. Unusual muscle pain 
16. Feeling cold 
17. Trouble breathing 
18. Feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak 
19. Stomach pain, vomiting 
20. Slow or irregular heart rate. 

How Gliclazide + Metformin works 

Gliclazide and metformin work by tackling type 2 diabetes from two different angles to help control high blood sugar. Gliclazide stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin, like a coach urging the body’s natural sugar-regulating hormone into action so that sugar can move from the blood into the cells where it’s needed. Metformin, meanwhile, reduces the liver’s tendency to produce excess sugar and helps muscles use insulin more effectively.

Safety Measures and Warning 

Pregnancy

Due to a lack of studies on the effects of gliclazide on the fetus during pregnancy, its safety is not clearly established. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor.

Breastfeeding

Small amounts of gliclazide and metformin pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, and they will advise you whether to stop breastfeeding or stop the medicine.

Kidney and Liver Problems

Patients suffering from liver problems are more prone to liver damage, as the drug is made into a less toxic form in the liver, so consult a doctor before using it.

Gliclazide + Metformin Interaction with Food Product 

Alcohol and smoking can simultaneously affect the drug’s action and show an effect on blood glucose levels by affecting the liver and pancreas. It can sometimes increase blood sugar levels and sometimes decrease blood sugar levels.

Gliclazide + Metformin Interaction with Other Medicines  

Avoid taking Gliclazide 60 mg + Metformin 500 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:

Gliclazide + Metformin Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

Gliclazide-N-(hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2(1H)-ylcarbamoyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide

Metformin-N, N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take metformin and glimepiride exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

It is not recommended to take more than 240 mg Gliclazide and 1500 mg metformin per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, sweating, and seizures. In case you feel these effects, take fruit or glucose liquids and sugary foods to minimize the effects and meet the doctor.

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature 
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
3. Keep out of reach of children 

Directions for use 

1. Take gliclazide and metformin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking gliclazide and metformin without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take gliclazide and metformin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. 

Gliclazide + Metformin Summary 

This medication is used to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It acts in two ways: metformin helps your body respond better to insulin and reduces sugar production in the liver, while gliclazide encourages your pancreas to release more insulin. Together, they work like a team: one improves how your body uses sugar, and the other boosts insulin to lower blood sugar. Common side effects include nausea, loose stools, dizziness, and low blood sugar; rare but serious risks like lactic acidosis can occur, especially if taken with alcohol. Always take this medicine after food to avoid stomach upset and keep your sugar levels steady, and take this medicine as advised by the doctor.

FAQ’s

What are the uses of Gliclazide and metformin tablets?

Gliclazide and metformin combination tablets are used to control type 2 diabetes when single‑drug therapy is not enough. They work together by reducing sugar made by the liver, improving insulin use, and boosting insulin release from the pancreas for better blood sugar control.

What are the side effects of Gliclazide and metformin tablets?

Common side effects of Gliclazide and metformin tablet include low blood sugar (which can cause dizziness or sweating), nausea, and weight gain 

What are the directions of use for Gliclazide and metformin tablets?

Take the medicine with a sip of water and swallow it without breaking or chewing the tablet and try to take the medicine just before meals to get a maximum effect.

What is the mode of action of Gliclazide?

Gliclazide and metformin helps lower blood sugar by telling the pancreas to release more insulin, especially after meals. It works best when taken with food. Skipping meals or drinking alcohol can cause low sugar levels, so it’s important to use it carefully.

Reference 

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3475, Gliclazide. [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from. 
2. Wishart DS, Knox C, Guo AC, et al. Gliclazide. In: Drug Bank [Internet]. Edmonton (AB): University of Alberta; 2005– [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from. 
3. MedicineNet. Gliclazide oral tablet uses, side effects, and warnings. [Internet]. New York (NY): MedicineNet; [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from. 
4. Stat Pearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. Available from. 
5. Drug Bank. Metformin [Internet]. Edmonton (AB): Drug Bank; [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
6. WebMD. Metformin oral [Internet]. New York (NY): WebMD LLC; ©1996–2025 [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
7. Drugs.com. Metformin [Internet]. ©1996–2025 [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.