Drug interactions
Ethanol + Gliclazide
Severity: Moderate
Ethanol and Gliclazide: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Alcohol makes glucose control unpredictable and increases the risk of hypoglycemia with gliclazide, including delayed hypoglycemia after drinking, and may mask its warning signs. Disulfiram-like flushing reactions are occasionally reported with sulfonylureas.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethanol and Gliclazide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Ethanol inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis and adds to sulfonylurea-stimulated insulin secretion, and may inhibit acetaldehyde metabolism in susceptible patients.
What to do
Counsel patients to avoid heavy drinking and never to drink on an empty stomach. Teach recognition of hypoglycemia and ensure food intake with any alcohol.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Gliclazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethanol with Gliclazide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethanol and Gliclazide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Alcohol makes glucose control unpredictable and increases the risk of hypoglycemia with gliclazide, including delayed hypoglycemia after drinking, and may mask its warning signs. Disulfiram-like flushing reactions are occasionally reported with sulfonylureas.
How serious is the interaction between Ethanol and Gliclazide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients to avoid heavy drinking and never to drink on an empty stomach. Teach recognition of hypoglycemia and ensure food intake with any alcohol.
What other medicines interact with Gliclazide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gliclazide with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Disopyramide. The full list is on the Gliclazide page.
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