Evaluating gliclazide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Gliclazide in the modified release (MR) formulation given once daily provides a good 24-h glycemic efficacy comparable to most other groups of glucose lowering drugs. Hypoglycemic events are less frequent than with some other sulfonylureas, and weight gain is not a major problem. Cardiovascular outcome studies have shown no evidence of increased cardiovascular events with gliclazide, and the durability of glucose lowering effects is comparable to other drug groups. Lower doses of gliclazide appear to have an incretin-enhancing effect, and overall it can provide a cost-effective treatment that is useful in many patients.