Drug to Drug Interaction Between Gliclazide and Gemfibrozil in Animal Models

Abstract

This study was planned to determine the effect of gemfibrozil on blood glucose as well as its influence on gliclazide induced-hypoglycaemia in normal rats, diabetic rats, and normal rabbits. Studies in normal, diabetic rats and normal rabbits were conducted with oral doses of gemfibrozil, gliclazide and their combination.  Blood samples were collected in rats by retro orbital puncture and by marginal ear vein puncture in rabbits at different time intervals, and analysed for glucose by glucose  oxidase/peroxidase (GOD/POD) method. The rabbit blood samples were analysed by HPLC for gliclazide.  Gemfibrozil increased hypoglycaemic effect of gliclazide in normal rats, diabetic rats, and normal rabbits when administered together. The serum gliclazide levels and pharmacokinetic parameters of gliclazide were altered significantly with single and multiple dose treatments of gemfibrozil in rabbits. Serum insulin levels were observed to increase with gemfibrozil treatment in rabbits.