*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Taking Gliclazide With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on possible interactions with gliclazide and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that affect the way gliclazide works. Taking them at the same time as gliclazide can cause low blood sugar.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines:

steroid tablets, such as prednisolone
some medicines used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure
medicines to treat bacterial or fungal infections, such as clarithromycin or fluconazole
painkillers - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin
medicines used to treat asthma, such as salbutamol
male and female hormones, such as testosterone, oestrogen or progesterone
other diabetes medicines
medicines that help to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin

You might need a small adjustment in your gliclazide dose after starting contraceptive pills. In rare cases, they can increase blood sugar levels.

Taking gliclazide with painkillers

It's safe to take paracetamol with gliclazide.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These painkillers can affect gliclazide and lower your blood sugar levels too much.

Mixing gliclazide with herbal remedies and supplements

Do not take the herbal remedy St John's wort (sometimes taken for depression). It may change the way your body processes gliclazide.

There's not enough information to say that other herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with gliclazide. However, taking them at the same time as gliclazide can cause low blood sugar.

Herbal remedies and supplements are not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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