Glipizide
Description
Glipizide is an effective oral anti-diabetic medicine belonging to sulfonylurea group of medicines. It is used to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. It is sometimes used along with insulin or other anti-diabetic medicines to achieve better control of the high blood sugar levels. A controlled diet and regular exercise along with anti-diabetic medications may give better results.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Glipizide
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Shaking of body
- Skin Rash
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Dark colored urine
- Pain in upper abdomen
- Unusual bleeding
- Fever
- Excessive air or gas in stomach
- Hypoglycemia
- Decreased heartbeat
- Elevated liver enzymes
Uses of Glipizide
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 30 minutes of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for 12-24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol in large quantities is not recommended when you are taking this medicine for controlling blood sugar levels. It is recommended to reduce the alcohol intake so that the adverse effects can be avoided. Symptoms of both reduced or elevated blood sugar levels should be reported to the doctor immediately.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?Use of this medicine in pregnant women is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. It should be used only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks involved. It is advised to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Use of this medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding. Monitoring of the infant for signs of decreased blood sugar may be required if this medicine is taken. You should consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
It is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to Glipizide (the primary constituent of Glipizide) or any other medicine belonging to the group sulphonylurea.
Type I Diabetes mellitus
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have type I or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
This medicine is not recommended for use in a patient having high levels of acid content in the blood.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Use of this medicine in pregnant women is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. It should be used only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks involved. It is advised to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Use of this medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding. Monitoring of the infant for signs of decreased blood sugar may be required if this medicine is taken. You should consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Hypoglycemia
This medicine can cause moderate to severe lowering of blood glucose levels. The risks are even greater for the elderly, people who are malnourished, and people suffering from kidney/pituitary gland disorders. You should report any such incidence to the doctor. Carry a reliable source of glucose like sugar candy to counteract the effect of low blood sugar levels.
Stress
This medicine should be discontinued and alternative measures to lower blood sugar should be initiated if you have a high level of stress. Stress may be due to an infection, fever, trauma or a recent surgery. Report any such instance to the doctor.
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution if you have a liver disease or the normal function of the liver is impaired.
Kidney disease
This medicine should be used with caution if you have a kidney disease or the normal function is impaired.
Heart disease
This medicine has been associated with severe adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels. It should be used with extreme caution in such patients. Otherwise, alternate medicines to control blood sugar levels should be considered. Report any historic or active incidence of heart disease to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Hemolytic anemia
This medicine can cause Hemolytic Anemia if you have a rare genetic disorder called G6PD Deficiency.
Gastro-intestinal blockage
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in a patient having bowel movement disorders due to a blockage or narrowing of food pipe.
Alcohol use
Use of alcohol while taking this medicine is not recommended as the risk of rapid fall or rise in blood sugar levels is significantly high.
Photo-sensitivity
This medicine may cause allergic skin reactions when exposed to the sun. Take precautionary measures while you are taking this medicine.
Change of medication
You may experience some temporary side effects if there is a change in current medication used for diabetes. This overlapping effect is because of the change from one medicine to another. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels might be required in these cases.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in people below 18 years of age.
Diet and exercise
It is recommended to have a regulated diet and exercise regularly while taking any anti-diabetic medication for achieving better results.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose 30 minutes before the next meal. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose should be skipped to prevent overdosing.
Overdose
Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of overdose may include weakness, shaking of the body, blurred vision, excessive sweating, stomach pain, and seizures. Sometimes, an overdose of Glipizide may cause a rapid fall in blood sugar levels that could be life threatening.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Use of alcohol while taking this medicine increases the risk of adverse effects. A steep fall or rise in blood sugar levels and associated symptoms is a likelihood especially in people having high fat and cholesterol levels, nerve disorders, and pancreatic disorders.
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol in large quantities is not recommended when you are taking this medicine for controlling blood sugar levels. It is recommended to reduce the alcohol intake so that the adverse effects can be avoided. Symptoms of both reduced or elevated blood sugar levels should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Interaction with Medicine
Atenolol
Gatifloxacin
Miconazole
Ethinyl Estradiol
Selegiline
Ibuprofen
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
This medicine should be administered with extreme caution if you suffer from a disease of heart or blood vessels. Risk of severe to fatal adverse effects is very high in such patients. Both the clinicians and patients should be aware of the risks before deciding the appropriate therapy.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
This medicine should not be used in patients having high acid content in blood as the risk of adverse effects is very high. It applies to both comatose and normal patient with ketoacidosis.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be administered with extreme caution if you suffer from any disease of the kidneys. You should consult your doctor to make a suitable adjustment in dosage quantity and/or time-interval between two dosages.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be administered with extreme caution if you suffer from any disease of the liver. You should consult your doctor to make a suitable adjustment in dosage quantity and/or time-interval between two dosages.
Hypoglycemia
This medicine should be administered with caution if you are prone to having episodes of low blood sugar. This population includes diabetics who are also malnourished or those receiving Beta-blocker drugs such as Metoprolol and Propranolol.
Hemolytic Anemia/G6PD Deficiency
This medicine is not recommended for use in people suffering from Hemolytic Anemia. Reporting this condition to the doctor is a must. In such cases, alternate medication not belonging to Sulfonylureas should be considered.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Glipizide as instructed by the doctor. Your dosage is likely to change over time based on the response to the medication. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. This medicine should be taken 30 minutes before the first meal of the day. Regular exercise, controlled diet and frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels are recommended while taking any anti-diabetic medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas. Increased level of insulin reduces the amount of sugar present in the blood. It also reduces the amount of glucose released into the blood by the liver.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Sulfonylureas
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 28 March 2017]. Available from:
Glipizide: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 28 March 2017]. Available from:
Glipizide - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Apr 2020
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