Consucon
Gliclazide 80 mg tablet

Presentation
Each tablet contains Gliclazide BP 80 mg.

Description
Consucon (Gliclazide) is a second generation sulfonylurea drug that has hypoglycaemic and potentially useful haemobiological properties. It stimulates the release of insulin from pancreatic -cells by facilitating Ca+2 transport across the -cell membranes and decreases hepatic glucose output.

Indication
Consucon is indicated for the treatment of maturity onset diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients who require oral hypo-glycaemic drug.

Dosage and Administration
Oral route : The usual initial dose is 40 to 80 mg daily. The dose can be increased upto 320 mg daily in divided doses when needed. The drug should be taken before meal. For children Gliclazide is not used because it is contraindicated in juvenile-onset diabetes.

Side effects
There may be hypoglycaemia in concurrent conditions such as hepatic and renal disease, malnutrition, alcohol intoxication. Sometimes headache, gastrointestinal upsets, nausea, dizziness, skin reactions including rash, pruritus, erythema may occur.

Contraindications
Gliclazide should not be used in -
* Juvenile-onset (type - I) diabetes
* Diabetes associated with Ketosis
* Diabetic patients undergoing surgery, after severe injury or during infection
* Patients having hypersensitivity for sulfonylurea group of drugs
* Pregnant women and breast-feeding mother
* Hepatic insufficiency

Precautions
Gliclazide should be used carefully in patients with hepatic impairment. If there is definite hepatic disease then gliclazide should not be used. Consucon (Gliclazide) can be used safely in patients with renal insufficiency as it is extensively metabolized. Consucon has less sudden hypoglycaemic episode than other sulfonylurea group of drugs.

Use in Pregnancy and Lactation
Gliclazide is contraindicated in pregnant women. It should not be used in breast feeding mother.

Drug Interactions
The hypoglycaemic effects of Consucon (Gliclazide) may be increased by Aspirin, NSAIDs, Phenylbutazone, Clofibrate, Sulfonamide, Cimetidine, Imidazole antifungal agents and Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors. The hypoglycaemic effect of Consucon some times may be reduced by Rifampin, Barbiturates, Phenytoin, Thiazide diuretics, Diazoxide, Glucocorticoids, Estrogens, Sympathomimetic drugs and occasionally Alcohol.

Overdosage
In accidental overdose, at first gastric lavage should be done and at the same time the hypoglycaemia should be corrected. In severe cases I/V infusion of 5% glucose should be started immediately with frequent monitoring of blood glucose and potassium level.

Storage
Store in a cool and dry place, below 30° C and away from light.

Commercial pack
Consucon : Box containing 5 blister strips of 10 tablets.