Australian Product Information Diamicron 60 MG MR Tablet, Modified Release
Australian Product Information Diamicron 60 MG MR Tablet, Modified Release
Gliclazide is an oral hypoglycaemic sulphonylurea which differs from other related compounds by
an N-containing heterocyclic ring with an endocyclic bond.
Excipient with known effect: each tablet contains 71.36 mg of lactose monohydrate.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1 - List of excipients.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Tablet, modified release: white, oblong, scored with a break bar on both sides with an engraving of
"DIA 60" on both faces.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
During controlled clinical trials in patients with type II diabetes, a modified release formulation of
gliclazide (30 mg - 120 mg), taken as a single daily dose, was shown to be effective long term in
controlling blood glucose levels, based on monitoring of HbA1c.
DIAMICRON 60 mg MR tablets have a break bar and may be administered as whole or as half
tablets (see section 5.2 – Pharmacokinetic properties). So that the modified release properties of
the product can be maintained, tablets should not be chewed or crushed.
Whole or half tablets of DIAMICRON 60 mg MR should be taken with food because there is an
increased risk of hypoglycaemia if a meal is taken late, if an inadequate amount of food is
consumed or if the food is low in carbohydrate. It is recommended that the medication be taken at
breakfast time. If a dose is forgotten, the dose taken on the next day should not be increased.
A single daily dose provides an effective blood glucose control. The daily dose may vary from half
a tablet to two tablets per day i.e. 30 mg to 120 mg taken orally. The initial recommended dose is
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DIAMICRON® 60 mg MR TABLET, MODIFIED RELEASE
half a tablet (30 mg), even in elderly patients (≥ 65 years). The daily dose should not exceed two
tablets (120 mg).
As with all hypoglycaemic agents, the dose should be titrated according to the individual patient's
response. Titration should be carried out in steps of 30 mg, according to the fasting blood glucose
response. Each step should last for at least two weeks.
Previously untreated patients should commence with half a tablet of DIAMICRON 60 mg MR (30
mg) dose and will benefit from dose titration until the appropriate dose is reached.
Elderly patients
The efficacy and tolerance of the modified release formulation of gliclazide (30 mg - 120 mg) has
been confirmed in clinical trials in patients over 65 years who were given the same dosage
regimen as the general population. The dosage is therefore identical to that recommended for
adults under the age of 65 years.
Renal impairment
The efficacy and tolerance of the modified release formulation of gliclazide (30 mg - 120 mg) has
been confirmed in clinical trials of patients with mild to moderate renal failure (creatinine clearance
of between 15 and 80 mL/min) who were given the same dosage regimen as the general
population. No dosage adjustment is therefore required in patients with mild to moderate renal
impairment. Use of DIAMICRON 60 mg MR in patients with severe renal impairment is
contraindicated (see section 4.3 - Contraindications).
4.3 CONTRAINDICATIONS
This medication is contra-indicated in the following cases:
− hypersensitivity to gliclazide, other sulphonylureas, sulfonamides, or to any of the excipients.
− Type I diabetes, diabetic keto-acidosis, diabetic pre-coma and coma.
− severe renal or hepatic impairment : in these cases the use of insulin is recommended.
− treatment with miconazole (see section 4.5 - Interactions with other medicines and other forms
of interactions).
− pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.6 - Fertility, pregnancy and lactation).
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Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia may occur following administration of sulphonylureas. Rarely cases may be severe
and prolonged. This may involve hospitalisation and glucose infusion may need to be continued for
several days.
Careful selection of patients and of the dose used, as well as provision of adequate information to
the patient are necessary to avoid hypoglycaemic episodes. The following factors may increase the
risk of hypoglycaemia:
- patient does not follow the doctor’s treatment advice (particularly elderly patients)
- malnutrition
- irregular mealtimes, skipping meals, periods of fasting or dietary changes
- imbalance between physical exercise and carbohydrate intake
- renal impairment
- severe hepatic impairment
- overdose of anti-diabetic agents
- certain endocrine disorders: thyroid disorders, hypopituitarism and adrenal impairment,
concomitant administration of certain other medicines (see section 4.5 - Interactions with other
medicines and other forms of interactions).
Gliclazide should only be prescribed if the patient is likely to have a regular food intake (including
breakfast). It is important to have a regular carbohydrate intake due to the increased risk of
hypoglycaemia if a meal is delayed, an inadequate amount of food is consumed or the food is low
in carbohydrate. Hypoglycaemia is more likely to occur during periods of low-calorie diet, following
prolonged or strenuous exercise, following alcohol intake or during treatment with a combination of
hypoglycaemic agents.
The efficacy of oral antidiabetic agents often decreases in the long term. This may be due to
progression in the severity of the diabetes, or to a reduced response to treatment. This
phenomenon is known as secondary failure and should be distinguished from primary failure, when
the drug is ineffective as first-line treatment. However, before classifying the patient as a
secondary failure, dose adjustment and reinforcement of dietary measures should be considered.
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Lactose intolerance
Due to the presence of lactose, patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance,
glucose galactose malabsorption, or the Lapp lactase deficiency should not take this medicinal
product.
Use in elderly
See sections 4.2 - Dose and method of administration and 5.2 - Pharmacokinetic properties.
Paediatric use
Not recommended for paediatric use, see section 4.2 - Dose and method of administration.
Increases the hypoglycaemic effect with possible onset of hypoglycaemia symptoms, or even
coma.
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Increases the hypoglycaemic effect of sulphonylureas (displaces their binding to plasma proteins
and/or reduces their elimination). It is preferable to use a different anti-inflammatory agent, or else
to warn the patient and emphasise the importance of self-monitoring. Where necessary, adjust the
dose during and after treatment with the anti-inflammatory agent.
Alcohol
Acute alcohol intoxication potentiates the hypoglycaemic action of all sulphonylurea agents by
inhibiting compensatory reactions. This can lead to the onset of hypoglycaemic coma. Ingestion of
alcohol may also cause a disulfiram-like reaction with characteristic flushing of the face, throbbing
headache, giddiness, tachypnoea, tachycardia or angina pectoris. Chronic alcohol abuse may, as
a result of liver enzyme induction, increase the metabolism of sulphonylurea drugs, shortening the
plasma half life and duration of action.
Potentiation of the blood glucose lowering effect and therefore in some instances,
hypoglycaemia may occur when one of the following medications is taken:
Danazol
If the use of danazol cannot be avoided, it may be necessary to adjust the dose of DIAMICRON 60
mg MR during and after treatment with danazol.
Chlorpromazine
High doses (>100 mg per day of chlorpromazine) can increase blood glucose levels (reduced
insulin release). Advise the patient and emphasise the importance of glucose monitoring. It may be
necessary to adjust the dose of DIAMICRON 60 mg MR during and after treatment with
chlorpromazine.
Glucocorticoids (systemic and local route: intra-articular, cutaneous and rectal preparations) and
tetracosactrin
Concomittant use may increase blood glucose levels with possible ketosis (glucocorticoids cause
reduced tolerance to carbohydrates). Emphasise the importance of blood glucose monitoring,
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particularly at the start of treatment. It may be necessary to adjust the dose of DIAMICRON 60 mg
MR during and after treatment with glucocorticoids.
May cause increased blood glucose levels due to beta-2 agonist effects. If necessary, switch to
insulin.
May adversely affect blood sugar control with hypoglycaemic agents in some patients by causing
increased blood glucose levels.
Fluoroquinolones
In case of a concomitant use of gliclazide and a fluoroquinolone, the patient should be warned of
the risk of unstable blood glucose, and the importance of blood glucose monitoring should be
emphasised.
Use in pregnancy
Australian Pregnancy Categorisation (Category C).
In animal studies embryo-toxicity and/or birth defects have been demonstrated with some
sulfonylureas.
Gliclazide should not be used in pregnant women. From a clinical point of view, there are limited
data (less than 300 pregnancies) to allow evaluation of the possible malformative or foetotoxic
effects of gliclazide, when administered during pregnancy. Animal studies of gliclazide have not
shown any teratogenic effect.
DIAMICRON 60 mg MR is contra-indicated during pregnancy and insulin is the drug of first choice
for treatment of diabetes during pregnancy. Treatment should be changed from DIAMICRON 60
mg MR to insulin therapy before pregnancy is attempted, or as soon as pregnancy is discovered.
Control of diabetes should be achieved before the time of conception to reduce the risk of
congenital abnormalities linked to uncontrolled diabetes.
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Use in lactation
It is not known whether gliclazide or its metabolites are excreted in breast milk. Given the risk of
neonatal hypoglycaemia, DIAMICRON 60 mg MR is contraindicated in women who are breast
feeding. A risk to newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
Good clinical acceptability of gliclazide, has been established in many studies as well as in medical
practice.
The safety of a modified release formulation of gliclazide (30 mg - 120 mg) has been evaluated in
controlled clinical trials in 955 patients, of which 728 patients were treated in long-term
comparative trials, against a gliclazide immediate release formulation (80 mg - 320 mg), for up to
ten months. In these comparative trials, the overall incidence and type of adverse events were
similar in both groups. Adverse events were generally mild and transient, not requiring
discontinuation of therapy.
However, where patients did discontinue due to adverse events, the percentage was lower in the
modified release group (2.9 %) than in the immediate release group (4.5 %).
Hypoglycaemia (see sections 4.3 - Contraindications and 4.4 - Special warnings and
precautions for use)
The most frequent adverse reaction with gliclazide is hypoglycaemia.
As is the case with all sulphonylurea drugs, hypoglycaemic reactions have been reported following
gliclazide administration. However, a number of studies have shown that hypoglycaemia is less
common with gliclazide than with glibenclamide.
Possible symptoms of hypoglycaemia are: headache, intense hunger, nausea, vomiting, lassitude,
sleep disorders, agitation, aggression, poor concentration, reduced awareness and slowed
reactions, depression, confusion, visual and speech disorders, aphasia, tremor, paresis, sensory
disorders, dizziness, feeling of powerlessness, loss of self-control, delirium, convulsions, shallow
respiration, bradycardia, drowsiness and loss of consciousness, possibly resulting in coma and/or
death. In addition, signs of adrenergic counter-regulation may be observed: sweating, clammy skin,
anxiety, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmia.
Usually, symptoms disappear after intake of carbohydrate such as sugar (artificial sweeteners
have no effect). Experience with other sulphonylureas shows that hypoglycaemia can recur even
when these measures are initially effective. If a hypoglycaemic episode is severe or prolonged, and
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Analysis of elderly patients (over 65 years old) showed less hypoglycaemia than in the general
population, with a prevalence of hypoglycaemic episodes lower in the modified release group
(2.6 hypoglycaemic episodes for 100 patient months) than in the immediate release group (4.1).
The percentage of patients experiencing hypoglycaemic episodes in the sub-population with renal
failure, was similar to that observed in the general population.
Adverse events reported during controlled clinical trials with the modified release formulation of
gliclazide were those expected in an ageing population with diabetes.
Adverse events that were reported in at least 2.0 % of patients, in long-term controlled clinical
studies, are presented in the following table. The most frequent adverse events were not
specifically related to the disease (such as respiratory infections or back pain).
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Analysis of adverse events in sub-populations showed a similar pattern to that seen in the general
population. Gender, age and renal impairment had no significant influence on the safety profile of
the modified release formulation of gliclazide.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, urticaria, maculopapular rashes, rash,
angioedema, erythema and bullous reactions (such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and
toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) (as with other sulfur-containing medications) and autoimmune
bullous disorders and exceptionally, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
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Blood and lymphatic system disorders (as with other sulphonylurea medications): anaemia,
leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis. These are in general reversible upon
discontinuation of medication.
Hepatobiliary disorders: elevations of serum bilirubin and hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, alkaline
phosphatase) levels, and exceptionally, hepatitis (isolated reports). Treatment should be
discontinued if cholestatic jaundice appears. These symptoms usually disappear after
discontinuation of treatment.
Eye disorders: transient visual disturbances may occur due to changes in blood glucose levels,
particularly on initiation of treatment.l As with any glucose-lowering medication, transient visual
disturbances may occur on initiation of treatment due to changes in blood glucose levels.
Class effects
The following adverse events have been observed with sulphonylureas: cases of erythrocytopenia,
agranulocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, pancytopenia and allergic vasculitis, hyponatremia, elevated
liver enzyme levels and even impairment of liver function (e.g. with cholestasis and jaundice) and
hepatitis which regressed after withdrawal of the sulphonylurea or led to life-threatening liver failure
in isolated cases.
4.9 OVERDOSE
Advice on overdose management can be obtained from the national Poisons Information
Centre by telephoning 131126.
Overdose of sulphonylureas may cause hypoglycaemia.
Severe hypoglycaemic reactions are possible (with coma, convulsions or other neurological
disorders) and must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate hospitalisation.
If hypoglycaemic coma is diagnosed or suspected, the patient should be given a rapid I.V. injection
of 50 mL of concentrated glucose solution (20 to 30 %). This should be followed by continuous
infusion of a more dilute glucose solution (10 %) at a rate necessary to maintain blood glucose
levels above 5 mmol/L. It is recommended that patients should be monitored closely for a 48 hour
period at least.
Plasma clearance of gliclazide may be prolonged in patients with hepatic disease. However, due to
the strong binding of gliclazide to proteins, dialysis is not effective in these patients.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
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KATP channels with a low affinity for cardiac and vascular KATP channels. Increased postprandial
insulin and C-peptide secretion persists after two years of treatment.
In type II diabetes, gliclazide restores the first peak of insulin secretion in response to glucose and
increases the second phase of insulin secretion. A significant increase in insulin release is seen in
response to stimulation induced by a meal or glucose.
Gliclazide has been shown in some studies to have actions independent of that on glucose levels.
These haemovascular effects of gliclazide include:
− Partial inhibition of platelet aggregation and adhesion with a decrease in markers of platelet
activation (beta thromboglobulin, thromboxane B2).
− Increased vascular endothelial fibrinolytic activity (increased tPA activity).
− Anti-oxidant properties, notably a reduction in plasma lipid peroxides and increased erythrocyte
superoxide dismutase activity.
− Inhibition of the increased adhesiveness of type II diabetic patient’s monocytes to endothelial
cells in vitro.
The anti-oxidant, platelet inhibiting and fibrinolytic actions of gliclazide involve processes which
have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of type II diabetes. There is no
clinical evidence that the haemovascular effects of gliclazide are of therapeutic benefit in type II
diabetes patients.
Absorption
Hydration of the tablets induces formation of a gel to activate drug release. Plasma levels increase
progressively, resulting in a plateau-shaped curve from the sixth to the twelfth hour after
administration. Intra-individual variability is low. Gliclazide is completely absorbed and food intake
does not affect the rate or degree of absorption.
Distribution
Plasma protein binding is approximately 95 %. The relationship between the dose administered
and the area under the concentration curve as a function of time is linear for doses of gliclazide up
to 90 mg/day. At the highest evaluated dose (135 mg/day), the AUC increases slightly more than
proportionally to the dose.
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Metabolism
Gliclazide is mainly metabolised in the liver, the products of which are extensively excreted in the
urine.
Excretion
Less than 1 % of unchanged drug is recovered in the urine. No active metabolites have been
detected in plasma. The clearance of gliclazide has been found to be slightly reduced as a function
of age. This reduction, however, is not considered to be clinically significant. The elimination half-
life of gliclazide is approximately 16 hours.
Use in elderly
No clinically significant modifications in the pharmacokinetic parameters have been observed in
elderly patients.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.2 INCOMPATIBILITIES
Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this
medicine.
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DIAMICRON® 60 mg MR TABLET, MODIFIED RELEASE
Molecular formula:
C15H21N3O3S
Chemical structure
O O O
S N
N N
H H
H3C
CAS number
21187-98-4
8 SPONSOR
Servier Laboratories (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.
servier.com.au
Level 4, Building 9
588A Swan Street
Burnley, 3121, Victoria
10 DATE OF REVISION
27 July 2022
Section(s)
Summary of new information
Changed
8 Address change
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