What is glipiZIDE?
Glipizide is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to help control blood sugar levels.
Glipizide is used to treat type 2 diabetes along with diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, if necessary.
Glipizide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
Before taking glipizide, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have thyroid disease;
- have type 1 diabetes;
- have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or
- need surgery.
You may not be able to take glipizide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Patients 65 years of age and older may have a stronger reaction to glipizide and may require a reduced dose.
Glipizide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether glipizide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Insulin is usually the drug of choice to control diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take glipizide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether glipizide passes into breast milk. Do not take glipizide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of these things can effect blood sugar levels.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before you undergo any surgery.
Do not take any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight loss medications without first talking to your doctor.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a glipizide overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Side Effects
Stop taking glipizide and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects from glipizide result mostly from blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency situation.
Low blood sugar may occur when too much glipizide is taken; when meals are missed or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking alcohol; and in other situations.
Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar has the following symptoms:
- shaking;
- headache;
- cold sweats;
- pale, cool skin;
- anxiety; and
- difficulty concentrating.
Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough glipizide is taken; if you eat significantly more food than usual; if you exercise less than usual; if you take other medications; during fever or other illness; and in other situations.
Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar has the following symptoms:
- increased thirst,
- increased hunger, and
- increased urination.
There may be an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) complications with the use of glipizide when compared to the treatment of diabetes with diet or diet plus insulin. The long-term use of glipizide should be discussed with your doctor.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Many other medicines may increase or decrease the effects of glipizide or affect your condition. Before taking glipizide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- aspirin or another salicylate such as magnesium/choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and others;
- a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);
- a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil);
- a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), and others;
- a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others;
- a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), and others;
- a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and others;
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- isoniazid (Nydrazid); or
- prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, or weight loss medications.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with glipizide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Other Names
GlipiZIDE XL, Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, and glipiZIDE
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Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04