Glucotrol

Generic Name: glipizide (GLIP i zide)
Brand Names: GlipiZIDE XL, Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL

What is Glucotrol?

Glucotrol is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your pancreas produce insulin.

Glucotrol is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes.

Glucotrol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Glucotrol

Do not use Glucotrol if you are allergic to glipizide, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment with insulin.

Before taking Glucotrol, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a disorder of your pituitary or adrenal glands, a history of heart disease, or if you are malnourished.

Taking certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with Glucotrol.

Take care to keep your blood sugar from getting too low, causing hypoglycemia. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, or trouble concentrating. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Also be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. Check your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your medication doses if needed.

Glucotrol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Before taking Glucotrol

Do not use Glucotrol if you are allergic to glipizide, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment with insulin.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Glucotrol:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;

• a disorder of your pituitary or adrenal glands;

• a history of heart disease; or

• if you are malnourished.

Taking certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with Glucotrol.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Glucotrol is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether glipizide passes into breast milk or if it could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take Glucotrol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings in more detail

How should I take Glucotrol?

Take Glucotrol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your dose needs may change if you are ill, if you have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency.

Do not change your dose of Glucotrol without first talking to your doctor. Take Glucotrol 30 minutes before a meal. If you take the medicine once daily, take it 30 minutes before breakfast.

Glucotrol XL extended release tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew or crush the tablets.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.

Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.

Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change.

Watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. Check your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your medication doses if needed.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked on a regular basis. You may also need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Do not miss any appointments.

Glucotrol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

It is important to take Glucotrol regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store Glucotrol at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose 30 minutes before your next meal, then return to your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Glucotrol can cause severe hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What should I avoid while taking Glucotrol?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Do not use Glucotrol if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment.

Glucotrol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Glucotrol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of Glucotrol. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, trouble concentrating, confusion, or seizure (convulsions). Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.

Stop taking Glucotrol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), feeling tired or short of breath, rapid heart rate;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion; or

• throbbing headache, severe nausea and vomiting, fast or pounding heartbeats, sweating or thirst, feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious Glucotrol side effects may include:

• nausea, stomach pain;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• dizziness, drowsiness; or

• skin rash, redness, or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Glucotrol side effects in more detail

What other drugs will affect Glucotrol?

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking Glucotrol with other drugs that raise blood sugar, such as:

• isoniazid;

• diuretics (water pills);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• phenothiazines (Compazine and others);

• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);

• birth control pills and other hormones;

• seizure medicines (Dilantin and others);

• diet pills; and

• medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking Glucotrol with other drugs that lower blood sugar, such as:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);

• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);

• sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);

• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);

• beta-blockers (Tenormin and others);

• fluconazole (Diflucan);

• probenecid (Benemid); or

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin and others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Glucotrol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Glucotrol.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision Date: 11/03/2009 10:37:29 AM.