Glipizide

Glipizide is useful for controlling high blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This drug needs to be combined with exercise and a healthy diet so that blood sugar levels are optimally controlled .

The body of a person with type 2 diabetes cannot properly use and store glucose from the blood. As a result, glucose levels in the bloodstream increase. If left unchecked, high blood sugar levels can trigger dangerous complications, such as kidney damage, blindness, neurological disorders, heart attacks, or strokes.

Glipizide is a sulfonylurea type antidiabetic drug. This drug works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. The hormone insulin will help the body's cells to take and utilize sugar from the blood.

It is important to remember, glipizide should not be used by people with type 1 diabetes .

Glipizide trademark : Glucotrol XL

What is Glipizide?

Precautions Before Taking Glipizide

Glipizide must be used according to a doctor's prescription. Before taking glipizide, you need to pay attention to the following things:

• Do not take glipizide if you are allergic to it, to a sulfonylurea, or to a sulfonamide .
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, Addison's disease, thyroid disease, hypopituitarism , syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), G6PD deficiency , or hyponatremia .
• Tell your doctor if you are taking or are going to take other drugs, supplements or herbal products, to anticipate possible interactions between drugs.
• Tell your doctor if you have a fever, infection, or injury, either before or while taking glipizide, because these conditions can make your blood sugar levels unstable.
• Tell your doctor that you are taking glipizide if you are having dental work or surgery planned.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages during treatment with glipizide, because it can increase blood sugar levels
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery immediately after taking glipizide, because this drug can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision in some people.
• Avoid overexposure to the sun and use sunscreen if you are out in the sun, as glipizide can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
• Immediately go to the doctor if you have a drug allergic reaction or more serious side effects after using glipizide.

Dosage and Rules for Use of Glipizide

The initial dose of glipizide slow-release tablet form is 2.5–5 mg once daily. The doctor may increase the dose by 5–10 mg, weekly, according to the patient's response to treatment. The maximum dose is 20 mg per day.

How to Take Glipizide Properly

Follow the rules of use and dosage given by the doctor , and read the instructions for use on the package. Do not increase or decrease the dose of medication.

Slow-release glipizide tablets are taken at breakfast. Swallow the medication whole, and do not split, bite, or crush the medication.

To be more effective, take this drug at the same time every day. If you forget to take glipizide in the morning, take it at the next meal. However, if you forget it until the next day, ignore the missed dose and do not double up on that day.

Exercise and a nutritionally balanced diet can increase the effectiveness of glipizide. However, consult your doctor first if you start a new sport that is heavier than usual.

While taking glipizide, check your blood sugar levels regularly. The goal is to find out whether your blood sugar level is still high ( hyperglycemia ) or even too low. That way, the doctor can decide to decrease or increase the dose of glipizide.

Store glipizide at room temperature in a closed container. Keep the medicine away from heat, humidity and sun exposure, and keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Glipizide Interactions with Other Drugs

The following are some of the interaction effects that can occur when glipizide is used with certain drugs:

• Increased risk of a drastic drop in blood sugar to cause coma when used with miconazole
• Increased risk of developing hypoglycemia when used with fluconazole , voriconazole , probenecid, cimetidine , fenofibrate, NSAIDs , or chloramphenicol
• Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used with blood pressure lowering ACE inhibitors

Glipizide Side Effects and Dangers

Because glipizide lowers blood sugar levels, one of the common side effects of this drug is hypoglycemia . This condition can occur if you don't eat enough or do strenuous exercise. Hypoglycemia is characterized by:

• Body shaking
• Tingling in hands or feet
• Feel hungry
• Dizzy
• Blurred vision
• Excessive sweating
• Faster heart rate

If the above symptoms occur, immediately consume sweet foods or drinks, such as candy, honey, or sweet tea. If after 15 minutes the symptoms have not improved, you can repeat consuming sweet foods or drinks.

A number of other side effects that may arise after consuming glipizide are:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach ache
• Headache
• Diarrhea or even constipation
• Weight gain

Check with your doctor if the side effects mentioned above do not improve or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if an allergic drug reaction occurs, which is characterized by the appearance of an itchy skin rash, swelling of the face and throat, or difficulty breathing, or if more serious side effects occur, such as:

• Infection , which can be marked by a fever or sore throat that doesn't get better
• The body bruises or bleeds easily
• Abdominal pain, yellow eyes and skin, dark urine,
• The body feels very tired
• Drastic or sudden weight gain
• Mood swings
• Swelling in the hands or feet
• seizures