Glipizide reduces blood sugar levels by promoting the production of insulin by the pancreas and helping the body to use it efficiently.
What is Glipizide?
Glipizide is used, in combination with a suitable diet and adequate physical activity, to treat diabetes type 2.
How should Glipizide be taken?
Glipizide is taken orally, typically in the form of tablets to be taken one or more times a day 30 minutes before meals, or extended-release tablets to be taken (whole) once a day, at breakfast.
Usually the doctor prescribes a low initial dose to gradually increase if necessary.
Side effects associated with Glipizide
Among the possible side effects of glipizide are the following:
- gas
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- shaking
- uncontrollable tremors
- red skin
- rash
- hives
- itching blisters
It is better to contact a doctor immediately in case of:
- jaundice
- coloured stools
- dark urine
- pain in the upper right abdomen
- bruise or bleeding
- fever
- sore throat
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Glipizide
The intake of alcohol can worsen the side effects of glipizide. Moreover, during the treatment it is good to be protected from the sun's rays, because the drug increases the sensitivity of the skin to sun.
Before starting treatment with glipizide it is important to tell your doctor about:
- allergies to the substance, excipients or other drugs.
- other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements taken, citing in particular
- anticoagulants, aspirin and NSAIDs, beta-blockers, calcium antiagonisti, Chloramphenicol
- cimetidine, diuretics, fluconazole, hormone replacement therapy and hormonal contraceptives
- insulin or other antidiabetic agents, isoniazid, MAO inhibitors, drugs, medicines, nausea
- miconazole, niacin, steroids (taken orally), phenytoin, Salicylates, sulfa drugs,
- sulfasalazine and thyroid medication
- If you suffer (or have suffered) deficiencies of G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase)
- thyroid, adrenal or hormonal involving the pituitary, heart disease, kidney
- liver disease, short bowel syndrome, intestinal blockages or narrowing
- ongoing diarrhea
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
You should also tell your doctor if you become ill during treatment, if you have a fever, an infection or if you are subjected to high stress.
Finally, you must inform surgeons and dentists of any ongoing treatment with glipizide.
