Glucotrol

Glipizide Drug Information

• Glucotrol Overview

  Glipizide is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used with other diabetes medications. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Glipizide belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. It lowers blood sugar by causing the release of your body's natural insulin.

• How to Use Glucotrol

  Take Glucotrol by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast or the first meal of the day as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Some patients, especially those taking higher doses, may be directed to take Glucotrol twice a day. The Dosage of Glucotrol is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start Glucotrol at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you are already taking another diabetes drug (such as chlorpropamide), follow your doctor's directions carefully for stopping the old drug and starting glipizide. Colesevelam can decrease the absorption of glipizide. If you are taking colesevelam, take glipizide at least 4 hours before taking colesevelam. Use Glucotrol regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (your blood sugar is too high or too low).

• Glucotrol Precautions

  Before taking glipizide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Glucotrol may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Glucotrol, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, certain hormonal conditions (adrenal/pituitary insufficiency, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone-SIADH), electrolyte imbalance (hyponatremia). You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcohol while taking Glucotrol because it can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar. Alcohol can rarely interact with glipizide and cause a serious reaction (disulfiram-like reaction) with symptoms such as facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or stomach pain. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of alcohol. It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery). Consult your doctor because this may require a change in your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar testing. Glucotrol may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Glucotrol, especially low blood sugar. During pregnancy, Glucotrol should be used only when clearly needed. Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Discuss a plan with your doctor for managing your blood sugar while pregnant. Your doctor may substitute insulin for Glucotrol during pregnancy. If glipizide is used, it may be switched to insulin at least 2 weeks before the expected delivery date because of glipizide's risk of causing low blood sugar in your newborn. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if Glucotrol passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Glucotrol Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Glucotrol, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Glucotrol Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Beta-blocker medications (including metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that could affect your blood sugar. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

• Glucotrol Side Effects

  What are Glucotrol side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Glucotrol may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Glucotrol as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Glucotrol

  The side effects of Glucotrol may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Glucotrol. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Glucotrol may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Glucotrol, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Glucotrol.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Glucotrol, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Glucotrol and the side effects associated with Glucotrol are described in the following:

  Common Glucotrol Side Effects

  Severe

  • hypoglycemic disorder

  Less Severe

  • constipation
  • drowsy
  • dizziness
  • diarrhea
  • headache disorder
  • nausea
  • flatulence
  • nervousness
  • tremor

  Less Frequent Glucotrol Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • weight gain

  Rare or Very Rare Glucotrol Side Effects

  Severe

  • porphyria cutanea tarda
  • hepatic porphyria
  • hemolytic anemia
  • pancytopenia
  • aplastic anemia
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • agranulocytosis
  • leukopenia
  • hyponatremia
  • blood dyscrasias
  • hepatitis
  • obstructive hyperbilirubinemia
  • cholestasis
  • hepatic failure
  • SIADH syndrome
  • abnormal hepatic function tests
  • maculopapular rash
  • hepatocellular damage
  • gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • neutropenic disorder

  Less Severe

  • eczema
  • skin photosensitivity
  • pruritus of skin
  • urticaria
  • skin rash
  • erythema
  • acute abdominal pain
  • gastrointestinal irritation

• Glucotrol Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Glucotrol when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.