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GLUCOTROL XL
(glipizide) extended release tablets

Read this information carefully before you start taking this medicine. Read the information you get with your medicine each time you refill your prescription. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of your healthcare provider's advice. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you do not understand some of this information or if you want to know more about this medicine.

What is GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) ?

GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) (glue-kuh-troll-ex-el) is a medicine you take by mouth. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also called non-insulin­ dependant diabetes mellitus). Your healthcare provider has prescribed GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) because your current treatment, including diet and exercise, has not been able to bring your blood sugar level under good control.

Your body makes insulin to keep the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood at the right level. With type 2 diabetes:

• your body may not be making enough insulin
• your body may not be using the insulin that you have already made
• the level of sugar in your blood is too high

If your blood sugar level is not under control, it can lead to serious medical problems, such as kidney damage, nerve damage, blindness, problems with circulation (blood movement in your body), loss of feet, legs or other limbs, high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) works mainly by:

• helping the body release more of its own insulin
• helping the body respond better to its own insulin
• lowering the amount of sugar (glucose) made by the body

Even after you start taking GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) , you must continue to follow your program of diet and exercise.

Who Should Not Use GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) ?

Do not use GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) if you:

• have a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis
• have ever had an allergic reaction to glipizide or any of the other ingredients in GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) . Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these ingredients.

Only your healthcare provider can decide if GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) is right for you. Before you start GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) , tell the healthcare provider if you:

• are taking or using any prescription medicines or non-prescription medicines, including natural or herbal remedies. Other medications can increase your chance of getting low blood sugar or high blood sugar. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take the medicines miconazole or fluconazole, used to fight fungus infections.
• have ever had a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis
• have kidney or liver problems
• have had blockage or narrowing of your intestines due to illness or past surgery
• have chronic (continuing) diarrhea
• are pregnant or might be pregnant. Your healthcare provider may switch you to insulin injections some time during your pregnancy. You should not take GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) during the last month of pregnancy.
• are breast-feeding. GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) may pass to the baby through your milk and cause harm.

How Should I Take GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) ?

GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) tablets come in three different strengths (2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg). Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dose that is right for you.

• Take GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) once a day with breakfast. The tablet is designed to release the medicine slowly over 24 hours. This is why you have to take it only once a day.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Never chew, crush or cut the tablet in half. This would damage the tablet and release too much medicine into your body at one time.
• After all of the medicine has been released, the empty tablet shell will pass out of the body normally in a bowel movement. Do not be concerned if you see the empty tablet shell in your stool (bowel movement).

It is important to take GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) every day to help keep your blood sugar level under good control. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose depending on your blood glucose test results. If your blood sugar level is not under control, call your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose without your healthcare provider's approval. In case of overdose, call the poison control center or your healthcare provider right away, or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room.

You must continue your diet and exercise program while taking GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) . You must also have your blood and urine tested regularly to be sure GLUCOTROL XL is working.

GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) may not work for everyone. If it does work, you may find that GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) is not working as well for you after you have used it for a while. Tell your healthcare provider if GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) is not working well.

What Should I Avoid While Taking GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) ?

Some medicines can affect how well GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) works or may affect your blood sugar level. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start or stop taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including natural/herbal remedies, while on GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) .

What are the Possible Side Effects of GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) ?

Low blood sugar. GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) may lower your blood sugar to low levels that are dangerous (hypoglycemia). This can happen if you do not follow your diet, exercise too much, drink alcohol, are under stress, or get sick. This could also happen if your dose of GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) is higher than you need. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust it. Do not adjust the dose on your own.

Be sure you know how to recognize your body's signs that your blood sugar is too low. These signs include:

• a cold clammy feeling
• unusual sweating
• dizziness
• weakness
• trembling
• shakiness
• hunger
• fast heartbeat
• headache
• blurred vision
• slurred speech
• tingling in the lips or hands

If you notice any of these signs, eat or drink something with sugar in it right away, such as a regular (not diet) soft drink, orange juice, honey, sugar candy. You can also keep glucose tablets on hand that are available at your pharmacy. If you do not feel better shortly or your blood sugar level does not go up, call your healthcare provider. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider in an emergency, call 911 or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room.

Other side effects. GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) may cause other side effects in some people. However, the incidence of serious side effects with GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) is very low. Other than the signs of low blood sugar listed above, possible side effects include:

• feeling jittery
• diarrhea
• gas

GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) may cause other less common side effects besides those listed here. For a list of all side effects that have been reported, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

While it has never been reported with GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) , another similar type of diabetes medicine has been linked to a higher risk of heart attacks. If you have risk factors for heart disease and take GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) , be sure to see your healthcare provider for regular checkups.

How To Store GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release)

Keep GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) and all medicines out of reach of children. Store GLUCOTROL XL in a dry place, in its original container, and at room temperature (between 59°–86° F or 15°–30° C).

General Advice About Prescription Medicines

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a patient information leaflet. If you have any concerns about GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) , ask your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can give you information about GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) that was written for healthcare professionals. Do not use GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not share GLUCOTROL XL (glipizide extended release) with other people. For more information about GLUCOTROL XL, you can visit the Pfizer internet site at www.pfizer.com.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/8/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.