Glipizide is used to treat type 2 diabetes (a long-term condition in which the body gradually becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin).
This medicine helps treat your diabetes by keeping your blood sugar under control.
Glipizide is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Glipizide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as a conventional tablet or extended-release tablet.
If you are taking the conventional tablet, take it 30 minutes before a meal (preferably before breakfast if given a once-daily dosing).
If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet (usually labelled as "XL"), take it with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your response to the medication.
Glipizide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Glipizide if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as glibenclamide, tolbutamide, or sulfasalazine.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- type 1 diabetes (long-term condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin)
- diabetic ketoacidosis (complication of diabetes characterised by high level of blood acid in your body)
- severe thyroid problems
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as Glipizide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder where the body lacks a certain enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of red blood cells)
- problems with the adrenal or pituitary glands
- stress-related conditions e.g. fever, trauma, surgery, infection
- narrowing or blockage of the intestines
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Glipizide to the elderly, debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age), or malnourished person (lacks nutrition necessary for the body to function). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are taking the extended-release tablet, you may see a small tablet-shaped casing in your bowel. This is normal, do not be alarmed. This casing is just an empty shell; the medicine inside it has already been absorbed by your body.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, blood or urine sugar levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
To help control your diabetes, it is important to continue following the diet and exercise recommended by your doctor while you are taking Glipizide.
If you are taking this medicine, you may have been warned about hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, and sweating. These signs are your body's way of warning you that your blood sugar level is low.
It is important to recognise these symptoms and get relief for hypoglycaemia quickly, as the hypoglycaemia may worsen.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Always carry some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you. Take 15 grams of glucose tablet at the first sign of hypoglycaemia, wait for 15 minutes and re-check your blood sugar level. If you are not feeling better or if your blood sugar level is still low (less than 4 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL), take another 15 grams of glucose tablet.
If you don't have glucose tablets, you may take any of the following:
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (not sugar-free)
Get medical help should symptoms not improve after the second serving.
Glipizide may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) which may affect your ability to concentrate and react. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, and itching.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, sweating
- unusual bruising or bleeding, tiredness, fever, chills, sore throat
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, metformin
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. phenylbutazone, aspirin
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. atenolol, captopril, nifedipine
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. miconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole
- certain medicines to treat depression e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine, moclobemide
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. clozapine, olanzapine, chlorpromazine
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- certain antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol
- asthma medicines e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline
- probenecid (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- isoniazid (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- phenytoin (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
- cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Glipizide.
Do not take Glipizide extended-release tablet with colesevelam (cholesterol-lowering medicine). Colesevelam may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine when taken at the same time. If you are taking colesevelam, take the Glipizide extended-release tablet at least 4 hours before your colesevelam dose.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
It is important for you to maintain a healthy diet and weight in order to help keep your diabetes under control.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet plan with your doctor or dietitian to manage your weight and blood sugar levels.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect the conventional tablet from light.
Protect the extended-release tablet from moisture and humidity.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
