Glucotrol XL (Glipizide)

Common use

Glipizide is sulfonylurea class of drugs a drug used to treat type 2 of diabetes and belongs to sulfonylurea class of drugs together with glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta), tolbutamide (Orinase) and tolazamide (Tolinase). It stimulates insulin secretion by beta-cells of pancreas.



Dosage and direction

Do not change your dose of Glipizide without first talking to your doctor. A starting dose when for immediate release tablets is 5 mg which should be taken 30 minutes before a meal. The maximum dose is 40 mg daily. Maximum dose of extended release tablets should not exceed 20 mg daily. Take it with a full glass of water before a meal. The best result of treatment is achieved when this medication is taken on a regular basis.



Precautions

Treatment with Glipizide may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages as it lowers blood sugar. Do not chew, divide, or crush extended release tablets of Glipizide, swallow them whole.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (juvenile diabetes, diabetes, accompanied by ketoacidosis or precoma) severe kidney or liver failure, stenosis of the gastrointestinal tract, infancy.



Side effects

Besides signs of allergy (hives, rash, swelling of face and tongue) in some patients other symptoms are described: headache, dizziness, diarrhea, gas, hepatitis, jaundice, and a low sodium concentration.



Drug interaction

Alcohol delays effects of Glipizide by slowing its absorption. Glipizide should be administered 1-2 hours before cholestyramine as the latter affects its absorption. Fluconazole (Diflucan) increases absorption and effectiveness of Glipizide. Medications which lower and rise blood sugar are able to change Glipizide effect: aspirin or another salicylate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfa-based drugs such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), MAO- inhibitors, beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), thiazide diuretics, steroid medicines such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone),estrogens, corticosteroids, thyroid medicines, phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), niacin, phenytoin, and calcium channel blocking drugs.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or time for your next dose is in a short while. Do not take double doses of this medication or extra doses of it. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Symptoms of Glipizide overdose are ones of low blood sugar: hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma. If you experience one of them or any unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.