Diamicron tablets contain the active ingredient Diamicron, which is a type of drug called a sulphonylurea. Diamicron is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Diamicron is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes have a deficiency of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is the main hormone responsible for controlling sugar levels in the blood. It normally makes the cells of the body remove excess sugar from the blood. In type 2 diabetes insulin is produced inefficiently in response to surges of blood sugar, such as following a meal. The cells of the body also become resistant to the action of insulin that is produced, which means that blood sugar levels can become too high.
Diamicron works mainly by stimulating the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. These cells are called beta cells. Diamicron causes the beta cells to produce more insulin. This helps to decrease the amount of sugar in the blood of people with type 2 diabetes.
Diamicron improves insulin production immediately after eating. This is called early or first phase insulin secretion. The enhanced insulin production results in a blood sugar lowering effect in response to meals or glucose, as occurs naturally in people without diabetes.
Diamicron is used when dietary measures, weight loss and physical exercise are not enough to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Diamicron also has effects in the blood vessels. It has been shown to prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together in the blood. It also increases the breakdown of blood clots that form within the blood vessels. This may help prevent the long-term complications of diabetes, which may be partly due to changes in the blood vessels caused by these mechanisms.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- Type 2 diabetes, when diet, exercise and weight loss have failed to fully control blood sugar.
- vomiting or abdominal pain;
- nausea;
- indigestion;
- constipation;
- yellowing of the skin and eyes;
- temporary visual disturbances at start of treatment;
- skin reactions such as rash and itch;
- low blood glucose level;
- inflammation of the liver;
- disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea;
- disturbances in the normal levels of blood cells in the blood;
- disturbance in liver function;
