GLUCOTROL

Who is Glucotrol for ?

Glipizide is used to treat Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes (formerly "adult-onset"), particularly in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet alone. Glipizide is not used to treat Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes (formerly "juvenile-onset"). this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Glipizide lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin and helping the body use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of producing insulin for this medication to work.

When should I be careful taking Glucotrol ?

Oral hypoglycemic drugs, including glipizide, have been associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks, benefits, and alternatives of using this drug for your condition.

Before taking glipizide,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to glipizide or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antibiotics, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), dexamethasone (Decadron), diuretics ("water pills"), estrogens, isoniazid (INH), MAO inhibitors - phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), medications for high blood pressure or heart disease, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenytoin (Dilantin), prednisone, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney, liver, heart, or thyroid disease or a severe infection.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking glipizide, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking glipizide.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Glipizide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Side Effects

Although side effects from glipizide are not common, they can occur. If you have any of these symptoms, eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or fruit juice, and call your doctor immediately; symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include:

• shakiness
• dizziness
• rapid heartbeat
• sweating or confusion
• blurred vision
• headache
• numbness or tingling of the mouth
• weakness
• fatigue
• pale color
• sudden hunger

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately; symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include:

• thirst
• dry mouth
• tiredness
• flushing
• dry skin
• frequent urination
• loss of appetite
• trouble breathing

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• seizures
• loss of consciousness
• skin rash
• itching or redness
• exaggerated sunburn
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• light-colored stools
• dark urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• fever
• sore throat