$Unique_ID{BRK01967}
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$Title{GLIPIZIDE}
$Subject{Glucotrol (Roerig)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


GLIPIZIDE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Glucotrol (Roerig)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Oral anti-diabetic
INGREDIENT:
     glipizide
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (5 mg and 10 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
       container.

USES

     Glipizide is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (sugar
diabetes), which appears in adulthood and cannot be managed by control of diet
alone.  This type of diabetes is known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes
(sometimes called maturity-onset or Type II diabetes).  Glipizide lowers blood
sugar levels by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas.
TREATMENTThis medication should be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before
a meal (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     It is important to try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you
do miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the
next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.  Tell your doctor
if you feel any side effects from missing a dose of this drug.
     Diabetics who are taking oral anti-diabetic medication may need to be
switched to insulin if they develop diabetic coma, have a severe infection,
are scheduled for major surgery, or become pregnant.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea; headache; heartburn; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain;
stomach discomfort; or vomiting.  These side effects usually go away during
treatment, as your body adjusts to the medicine.
     Glipizide may increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  It is
therefore important to use caution during exposure to the sun.
Use an effective sunscreen and avoid exposure to sunlamps.

     Major.

     If any side effects are persistent or particularly bothersome, it is
important to notify your doctor.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR
DOCTOR about dark urine; fatigue; itching of the skin; light-colored stools;
rash; sore throat and fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; or yellowing of the
eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Glipizide interacts with a number of other medications.
     1.  Chloramphenicol, guanethidine, insulin, monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitors, oxyphenbutazone, oxytetracycline, phenylbutazone, probenecid,
aspirin or other salicylates, and sulfonamide antibiotics, when combined with
glipizide, can lower blood sugar levels--sometimes to dangerously low levels.
     2.  Thyroid hormones; dextrothyroxine; epinephrine; phenytoin; thiazide
diuretics (water pills); and cortisone-like medications (such as
dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone), combined with glipizide, can
actually increase blood sugar levels--just what you are trying to avoid.
     3.  Anti-diabetic medications can increase the effects of warfarin, which
can lead to bleeding complications.
     4.  Beta-blocking medications (atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol,
propranolol, and timolol), combined with glipizide, can result in either high
or low blood sugar levels.  Beta-blockers can also mask the symptoms of low
blood sugar, which can be dangerous.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you are already taking any of the
medications listed above.

WARNINGS

     * It is important to tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to this medicine or to any sulfa medication [sulfonamide
antibiotics, diuretics (water pills), or other oral anti-diabetics].
     * It is also important to tell your doctor if you now have, or if you
have ever had, kidney disease, liver disease, severe infection, or thyroid
disease.
     * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication (unless
otherwise directed by your doctor).  Some patients who take this medicine
suffer nausea; vomiting; dizziness; stomach pain; pounding headache; sweating;
and redness of the face and skin when they drink alcohol.  Also, large amounts
of alcohol can lower blood sugar to dangerously low levels.
     * Follow the special diet that your doctor gave you.  This is an
important part of controlling your blood sugar and is necessary in order for
this medicine to work properly.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this
medicine before having any kind of surgery or other medical or dental
treatment.
     * Test for sugar in your urine as directed by your doctor.  It is a
convenient way to determine whether or not your diabetes is being controlled
by this medicine.
     * Eat or drink something containing sugar right away if you experience
any symptoms of low blood sugar (such as anxiety; chills; cold sweats; cool or
pale skin; drowsiness; excessive hunger; headache; nausea; nervousness; rapid
heartbeat; shakiness; or unusual tiredness or weakness).  It is also important
that your family and friends know the symptoms of low blood sugar and what to
do if they observe any of these symptoms in you.
     * Check with your doctor as soon as possible--even if these symptoms are
corrected by the sugar.  The blood-sugar-lowering effects of this medicine can
last for hours, and the symptoms may return during this period.  Good sources
of sugar are orange juice, corn syrup, honey, sugar cubes, and table sugar.
You are at greatest risk of developing low blood sugar if you skip or delay
meals, exercise more than usual, cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting, or
drink large amounts of alcohol.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Studies have not yet
been completed in humans, but studies in animals have shown that this medicine
can cause birth defects.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
infant.  Small amounts of glipizide pass into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
