*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.

Pregnancy Breastfeeding And Fertility While Taking Gliclazide

NHS medicines information on gliclazide and whether you can take it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Gliclazide and pregnancy

Gliclazide is not recommended in pregnancy as there is little information about its safety during pregnancy.

Other medicines used to treat diabetes, such as insulin and metformin, are safe to take during pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking gliclazide. They will need to review your treatment and may be able to suggest a different medicine for you.

Gliclazide and breastfeeding

Gliclazide is not usually recommended while breastfeeding. We do not know how much of it passes into breast milk. It's only likely to be a small amount but it could lower your baby's blood sugar level.

If you are breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor about what's best for you and your baby. They will need to review your treatment and may be able to suggest a different medicine for you.

If your doctor says it's OK to keep breastfeeding, contact your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if your baby:

is not feeding as well as usual
seems unusually sleepy or drowsy
seems unusually restless or irritable
is paler, or more sweaty, than usual
seems hungrier than usual
is peeing more
is causing you any other concerns

If you do need to take gliclazide while breastfeeding, your baby's blood sugar level may need to be checked occasionally.

Gliclazide and fertility

There's no clear evidence that taking gliclazide reduces fertility in either men or women.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant.

For more information about how diabetes medicines can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, visit the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

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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