Glipizide (By mouth)

Introduction

Glipizide (GLIP-i-zide)

Used with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Brand Name(s)

Glucotrol XL, Glucotrol

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take the regular tablet about 30 minutes before eating a meal. It best to take the extended-release tablet with breakfast, unless your doctor tells you to take it at a different time.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• While taking the extended-release form of this medicine, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.
• To best manage your diabetes, carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet, exercise, or weight loss. Test your blood sugar regularly.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cimetidine (Tagamet®), isoniazid (Nydrazid®), niacin (Nicobid®, Nicolar®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), estrogens (Premarin®), birth control pills, thyroid medicine (such as levothyroxine, liothyronine, Cytomel®, or Synthroid®), or any cold or allergy medicines.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin®), probenecid (Benemid®), a pain or arthritis medicine also called an NSAID (such as such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve®, Celebrex®, or Motrin®), certain antibiotics (such as fluconazole, miconazole, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, Cotrim®, Diflucan®, or Septra®), certain medicines for heart or blood pressure (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, verapamil, Inderal®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, or Toprol®), or an MAO inhibitor or MAOI (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin®), a diuretic or "water pill" (such as hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], furosemide, torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®), a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), or a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®).
• Make sure your doctor knows about all other treatments you are using for diabetes, including insulin.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel problems, stomach problems, or an adrenal or pituitary gland problem. Tell your doctor if you have a condition called glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• This medicine may not work as well if you have surgery, get hurt, or get sick. If you have severe vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, call your doctor for instructions.
• Tell your doctor if you start having trouble controlling your blood sugar after you have been using this medicine for awhile.
• Other medicines used to treat diabetes have been known to increase the risk of heart problems. It is not known if glipizide increases your risk. Ask your doctor if you have questions about this.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• This medicine is only part of a complete program for controlling diabetes. You can also help yourself by eating a healthy diet, watching your weight, and getting regular exercise.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision.
• Cold feeling in your arms or legs.
• Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching.
• Dizziness, unusual sweating, or fast heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, fainting, shakiness, or hunger.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Severe or sudden stomach pain, or bloody or black, tarry stools.
• Shortness of breath, tiredness, uneven heartbeat, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or stomach pain.
• Nervousness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088