Brand Names: GlipiZIDE XL, Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL

Generic Name: glipizide (Pronunciation: GLIP i zide)

• What is glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• What are the possible side effects of glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• What is the most important information I should know about glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• How should I take glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Glucotrol)?
• What happens if I overdose (Glucotrol)?
• What should I avoid while taking glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• What other drugs will affect glipizide (Glucotrol)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is glipizide (Glucotrol)?

Glipizide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your pancreas produce insulin.

Glipizide is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes.

Glipizide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Glipizide 10 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO, GLP 10

Glipizide 10 mg-IVA

round, white, imprinted with 92 00

Glipizide 10 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN G2

Glipizide 10 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 461

Glipizide 2.5 mg ER-WAT

round, yellow, imprinted with WPI 900

Glipizide 5 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO, GLP 5

Glipizide 5 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 771

Glipizide 5 mg-IVA

round, white, imprinted with 92 01, I

Glipizide 5 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN G1

Glipizide 5 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 460

Glipizide ER 10 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WPI 845

Glipizide ER 5 mg-WAT

round, orange, imprinted with WPI 844

Glipizide XL 10 mg-GRE

round, white, imprinted with GLIPIZIDE XL 10

Glipizide XL 2.5 mg-GRE

round, blue, imprinted with GLIPIZIDE XL 2.5

Glipizide XL 5 mg-GRE

round, white, imprinted with GLIPIZIDE XL 5

Glucotrol 10 mg

diamond, white, imprinted with PFIZER 412

Glucotrol 5 mg

diamond, white, imprinted with PFIZER 411

Glucotrol XL 10 mg

round, white, imprinted with GLUCOTROL XL 10

Glucotrol XL 2.5 mg

round, white, imprinted with GLUCOTROL XL 2.5

Glucotrol XL 5 mg

round, white, imprinted with GLUCOTROL XL 5

What are the possible side effects of glipizide (Glucotrol)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking glipizide and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), feeling tired or short of breath, rapid heart rate;
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pale skin, fever, confusion; or
• throbbing headache, severe nausea and vomiting, fast or pounding heartbeats, sweating or thirst, feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• dizziness, drowsiness; or
• skin rash, redness, or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Glucotrol (glipizide) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about glipizide (Glucotrol)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to glipizide, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment with insulin.

Before taking glipizide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, chronic diarrhea or a blockage in your intestines, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), a disorder of your pituitary or adrenal glands, a history of heart disease, or if you are malnourished.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss. Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need to adjust your glipizide dose.

Glipizide is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.