How Gliclazide, Pioglitazone, and Metformin Work Gliclazide, Pioglitazone, and Metformin is a combination of three antidiabetic medications: Gliclazide, Pioglitazone, and Metformin. They work through different mechanisms to provide better control of blood sugar when single or dual therapy is not effective. Gliclazide is a sulfonylurea that increases the amount of insulin released by the pancreas to lower blood glucose levels. Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that enhances insulin sensitivity. Metformin is a biguanide that lowers glucose production in the liver, delays glucose absorption from the intestines, and further increases the body's sensitivity to insulin.
Common side effects of Gliclazide, Pioglitazone, and Metformin include hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), nausea, diarrhea, headache, edema (swelling), anemia (low number of red blood cells), upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, vomiting, flatulence, and bronchitis (inflammation of the airways).