How it works.
Gliclazide binds to sulfonylurea receptors on the surface of the Beta islet cells found in the pancreas. This binding effectively closes the K+ ion channels. This decreases the efflux of potassium from the cell which leads to the depolarization of the cell. This causes voltage dependent Ca++ ion channels to open increasing the Ca++ influx. The calcium can then bind to and activate calmodulin which in turn leads to exocystosis of insulin vesicles leading to insulin release.
Pretty impressive eh.
That was a copy and paste job from Wikipedia, oh that I could recite that sort of jargon without notes. So the bottom line is, Gliclazide works by forcing the already damaged and overworked pancreas into outputting more insulin. It does this even if more insulin is not required to bring down blood glucose levels, hence the often reported hypos. A heavily overweight type two diabetic often has three times the serum insulin levels as a slim non diabetic, the last thing many type two overweight diabetics need, is more insulin sloshing around their system. More insulin inhibits stored fat burning and very often increases weight, thus reducing insulin sensitivity, and the vicious circle continues.
So apart from knocking out the pancreas, causing hypos and very often increasing weight, it’s not got a lot going for it. It will come as no surprise to some, that world renowned diabetes expert, Dr. Richard Bernstein refuses to prescribe Gliclazide. As with many type two diabetes medications, there is often a high price to pay, for only a modest reduction in HbA1c. Other than insulin, nothing comes close to reducing blood glucose numbers, compared with a lowcarb diet and exercise. To date, I can find no downside, or side effects, in the consumption of quality non factory produced, lowcarb/starch foods and a brisk two mile walk.
Please check out our lowcarb recipe and food blog. http://www.lowcarbdietsandrecipes.blogspot.com/
Eddie
Please check out our website www.lowcarbdiabetic.co.uk We created and maintain this site without any help from anyone else. In doing so, we do not receive direct or indirect funding from anyone. We do not accept money or favours to manipulate the evidence in any way. Please visit our Low Carb food and recipe blog www.lowcarbdietsandrecipes.blogspot.com
7 comments:
As a former victim of Glick i am happy to announce that i junked it in 2007 and havn`t looked back.
It is one of the most Anti Diabetic meds i can think of
I have just started a low carb diet bs has reduced from 16.3 to 6.3 in less than a week but I nearly had a hypo this afternoon, I am on 4 gliclazide a day, dr (who is very supportive and therefore very popular and virtually impossible to get an appt with) said to reduce gradually but I am tempted just to stop. I would be very grateful for your opinions.
Katy
Katy
Very well done on your huge reduction in BG numbers. Going lowcarb very often results in dangerously high BG numbers plummeting, very often to non diabetic. We are diabetics here and not medical professionals. I cannot advise you what you should do. Having said that, if I could hold safe and stable BG numbers, with none or a reduction in medication, that’s the way I would go. Let your BG meter guide you. In the early days, test, test and test.
The very best of health to you and yours.
Eddie
Hi Katy I agree with Eddie, but I also think you would be better gradually reducing your carb intake over a few weeks, your body will have got used to running high BS a sudden drop could cause problems. Be careful with the hypos until you get to see your doctor you should probably think about increasing the carbs in the short term to avoid them.
Given that your Doctor said to reduce the glic gradually you could if you want split the glic in half. As Eddie said we are not medical proffesionals but I would agree with your Doctor and reduce the dose gradually.
Take care.
"The natural course of type 2 diabetes unfortunately results in a slow loss of the ability of the pancreatic beta cells (insulin producing cells) to make insulin. A gradual loss of ‘efficacy’ is therefore "usual with these tablets" and many people require a progressive increase in the dose. Once the maximum dose has been reached your doctor may consider the addition of other tablets or a change to insulin therapy."
http://www.diabetesuffolk.com/Drugs/Gliclazide%20and%20Glipizide.htm
I wish I'd have been given this information when put on Glic. I was very trusting of my Diabetes team and followed their advice to the letter which included the so called healthy diet, after reaching the maximum dose of glic I was referred to a consultant because my blood sugars were very high last blood test was 79. She basically said my pancreas was shot and insulin was the only way forward.
At least now my blood sugars are under control and thanks to your main web site I now understand the role of carbohydrates in Diabetes, that's another thing that was never explained to me.
Mel
Have to disagree, gliclazide is one the best medications out there, using wikipedia as a source is not a great idea, did you forget to copy the part where wikipedia says that gliclazide PROTECTS THE PANCREAS , and PREVENTS FAT BUILDUP IN ARTERIES,
Of course its not available in the United States, so .
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