Diamicron Dosage/Direction for Use

Posology: RESTRICTED TO ADULTS.
As with any hypoglycaemic agent, the dosages should be adjusted to the particular circumstances.
In the event of a transitory loss of blood glucose control in a patient where good control is usually achieved by diet, it may be sufficient to administer this product for a short period.
Patients under the age of 65: Initial dose: The recommended initial dose is one tablet per day.
Dosage steps: Adjustments in posology are usually made in steps of one tablet at a time, depending on the response in blood glucose. At least 14 days should separate successive steps in the dose.
Maintenance treatment: The posology can vary from 1 to 3, or rarely 4, tablets per day.
The standard dosage is 2 tablets a day, as 2 daily doses.
Patients at particular risk: Patients over the age of 65: Begin the treatment with a half-tablet once a day.
The dose can be progressively increased until the patient's blood glucose is satisfactorily controlled, while keeping to steps of at least 14 days between successive levels, and with close monitoring of blood glucose.
Other patients at particular risk: In patients who are malnourished or showing markedly poor general state of health, or whose calorie intake is irregular, or whose kidney or liver function is impaired, treatment should be begun at the lowest dose. The stepwise increases in dosage must be scrupulously adhered to in order to avoid a hypoglycaemic reaction (see Precautions).
Patients treated with other oral hypoglycaemic agents: As with any sulfonylurea, this medicinal product can be used as follow-on from another antidiabetic drug, without any transitional period being needed. When patients change to this medication from a sulfonylurea with a longer half-life (such as chlorpropamide), they must be closely monitored (for several weeks). This is to avoid the possible occurrence of hypoglycaemia due to an overlapping of effects from the two treatments.
Paediatric population: The safety and efficacy of Diamicron 80 mg in children and adolescents have not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration: Oral route.