Brand
name: GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
Generic name: GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
Why is GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) prescribed?
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2
(non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. In diabetics either the body does
not make enough insulin or the insulin that is produced no longer works
properly.
There are actually two forms of diabetes: type 1 insulin-dependent
and type 2 non-insulin-dependent. Type 1 usually requires insulin injections
for life, while type 2 diabetes can usually be treated by dietary changes
and/or oral antidiabetic medications such as GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) . Apparently,
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) controls diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to secrete
more insulin. If you suffer from type 1 diabetes, you will need to
use insulin and will not be able to use GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) . Occasionally, type
2 diabetics must take insulin injections on a temporary basis, especially
during stressful periods or times of illness.
Most important fact about GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
Always remember that GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) is an aid to, not a substitute for,
good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise
plan can lead to serious complications, such as dangerously high or
low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) is not an oral
form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin.
How should you take GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) ?
In general, to achieve the best control over blood sugar levels, GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
should be taken 30 minutes before a meal. However, the exact dosing
schedule as well as the dosage amount must be determined by your physician.
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) XL should be taken with breakfast. Swallow the tablets whole;
do not chew, crush, or divide them. Do not be alarmed if you notice
something that looks like a tablet in your stool<96>it will be
the empty shell that has been eliminated.
If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule.
Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions...
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) should be stored at room temperature and protected from
moisture and humidity.
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) side effects
Side effects from GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) are rare and seldom require discontinuation
of GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) .
* Side effects may include:
Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, gas, headache, hives, itching,
low blood sugar, nervousness, sensitivity to light, skin rash and eruptions,
stomach pain, tremor
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) and GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) XL, like all oral antidiabetic drugs, can
cause low blood sugar. This risk is increased by missed meals, alcohol,
other diabetes medications, and excessive exercise. Low blood sugar
is also more likely in older people, those with kidney or liver problems,
and those with poorly functioning adrenal or pituitary glands. To avoid
low blood sugar, you should closely follow the dietary and exercise
regimen suggested by your physician.
* Symptoms of mild low blood sugar may include:
Blurred vision, cold sweats, dizziness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, headache,
hunger, light-headedness, nausea, nervousness
* Symptoms of more severe low blood sugar may include:
Coma, disorientation, pale skin, seizures, shallow breathing
Ask your doctor what steps you should take if you experience mild
hypoglycemia. If symptoms of severe low blood sugar occur, contact
your doctor immediately. Severe hypoglycemia should be considered a
medical emergency, and prompt medical attention is essential.
Special warnings about GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
It's possible that drugs such as GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) may lead
to more heart problems than diet treatment alone, or diet plus insulin.
If you have a heart condition, you may want to discuss this with your
doctor.
If you are taking GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) , you should check your
blood and urine periodically for the presence of abnormal sugar (glucose)
levels.
Even people with well-controlled diabetes may find that injury, infection,
surgery, or fever results in a lack of control over their diabetes.
In these cases, the physician may recommend that you stop taking GLEZ
(Glipizide, Glucotrol) temporarily and use insulin instead.
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) may not work well in patients with poor
kidney or liver function.
In addition, the effectiveness of any oral antidiabetic, including
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) , may decrease with time. This may occur
because of either a diminished responsiveness to GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
or a worsening of the diabetes.
Be careful taking the extended-release form of the drug, GLEZ (Glipizide,
Glucotrol) XL, if you have any narrowing in your stomach or intestines.
Also, if you have any stomach or intestinal disease, GLEZ (Glipizide,
Glucotrol) XL may not work as well.
Why should GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) not be prescribed?
You should not take GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) if you have had an allergic reaction
to it previously.
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) will be stopped if you are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis
(a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin
and marked by excessive thirst, nausea, fatigue, pain below the breastbone,
and a fruity breath).
Possible food and drug interactions when taking GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
It is essential that you closely follow your physician's dietary guidelines
and that you inform your physician of any medication, either prescription
or nonprescription, that you are taking. Specific medications that
affect GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) include:
Airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed
Antacids such as Mylanta
Aspirin
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
Corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Diuretics such as HydroDIURIL
Estrogens such as Premarin
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Heart and blood pressure medications called beta blockers such as Tenormin
and Lopressor
Heart medications called calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem
and Procardia XL
Isoniazid (Rifamate, Rimactane)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
MAO inhibitors (antidepressant drugs such as Nardil and Parnate)
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Mellaril
Miconazole (Monistat)
Nicotinic acid (Nicobid)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and Naprosyn
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Probenecid (Benemid)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Sulfa drugs such as Bactrim and Septra
Thyroid medications such as Synthroid
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Alcohol must be used carefully, since excessive alcohol consumption
can cause low blood sugar.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) during pregnancy have not been adequately
studied. Therefore, if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant,
you should take GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) only on the advice of your physician. Since
studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar (glucose)
levels during pregnancy, your physician may prescribe insulin during
pregnancy. To minimize the risk of low blood sugar in newborn babies,
GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) , if taken during pregnancy, should be discontinued at least
one month before the expected delivery date.
Although it is not known if GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) -without
rx - appears in breast milk, other oral antidiabetics do. Because of
the potential
for hypoglycemia in
nursing infants, your doctor may advise you either to discontinue GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) or to stop nursing. If GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol) is discontinued and if diet alone
does not control glucose levels, your doctor may prescribe insulin.
Recommended dosage for GLEZ (Glipizide, Glucotrol)
Dosage levels must be determined by each patient's needs.
ADULTS
Overdosage
