Glucotrol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Glucotrol?

What is Glucotrol for?

Glucotrol is an oral diabetes medication that is used to help control blood sugar in type two diabetes patients. This medication is not used for patients with type one diabetes. Together with the right diet and exercise program and healthier lifestyle changes, Glucotrol can help blood sugar levels stay within safe limits in people with diabetes (people with diabetes).

This drug is a drug that contains glipizide as its main active ingredient. Glipizide itself is included in the sulfonylurea class of treatment. The way Glucotrol works is by increasing insulin production by the pancreas.

Good blood sugar control can help you avoid kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, limb amputation, and problems with sexual function. Proper diabetes management can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in diabetics.

How do you use Glucotrol?

Take Glucotrol 30 minutes before breakfast or your first meal on the first day, as instructed by your doctor. This medicine is usually taken once a day. However, patients who need more blood sugar control usually require a higher dose and can take this drug up to two times a day.

To avoid the risk of side effects, your doctor may first give you a low dose at the start of treatment and increase it according to your body's response. Do not change your dose or stop taking this drug without consulting your doctor. The dosage has been given taking into account your health condition and your body's response to the treatment given.

Tell your doctor if you are taking other diabetes medications, such as chlorpropamide and follow your doctor's directions for stopping the old drug and starting treatment with Glucotrol. The use of colesevelam can affect the absorption of Glucotrol by the body. Take Glucotrol four hours in advance.

Take this medicine regularly for the expected results. To make it easier for you to remember, take this medication at the same time each day. Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't improve or it gets worse.

What are the rules for storing Glucotrol?

Store this drug at room temperature not more than 30 degrees Celsius. Keep away from hot places and direct sunlight. Do not store this medicine in a damp place. Do not store this medication in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children to avoid risk of poisoning.

Do not flush this down the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Glucotrol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Glucotrol for adults?

Immediate release tablet

• Initial dose: 5 mg, once daily, 30 minutes before meals
• Maintenance dose: can be up to 40 mg in divided doses, 30 minutes before meals. The dose can be increased by 2.5 mg - 5 mg per day depending on the body's response as seen from blood sugar levels
• Maximum single dose: 15 mg
• Maximum daily dose: 40 mg

Extended release tablet

• Initial dose: 5 mg, once daily, 30 minutes before meals
• Maintenance dose: 5 - 10 mg once a day
• Maximum daily dose: 20 mg

• When adding to the use of drugs to lower blood sugar levels in patients who have taken Glucotrol (XR), the initial dose of the blood sugar lowering drug given is the lowest recommended dose.
• When adding to the use of Glucotrol in patients who have received treatment therapy with other blood sugar-lowering drugs, administration of Glucotrol XR can be started with 5 mg

Patients switching from insulin to Glucotrol (glipizide)

• Patients with daily insulin doses of 20 units or less: discontinue insulin use and start treatment with Glucotrol at normal doses
• Patients with daily insulin doses of more than 20 units: reduce the insulin dose by 50 percent and take Glucotrol with the normal dose

What is the dosage of Glucotrol for children?

The dosage for children is not determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

What is the dosage of Glucotrol for elderly patients?

Initial dose: 2.5 mg

In what dosages and preparations is Glucotrol available?

Tablet, Oral (immediate release tablet): 5 mg; 10 mg

Tablet, Oral (extended release tablet): 2.5 mg; 5 mg; 10 mg

Glucotrol side effects

What side effects may be caused by consuming Glucotrol?

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, headaches, and weight gain can occur. If these symptoms persist, even get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

Remember that your doctor prescribes a medication because it judges its benefits to outweigh the risk of possible side effects. Almost all drugs have side effects, but very rarely cause serious reactions.

This medicine may also cause low blood sugar when you don't consume enough calories or do strenuous physical activity. Symptoms include trembling, sweating, racing heart, vision problems, hunger, dizziness, or tingling sensation in the hands / feet. Immediately consume foods that contain glucose to increase blood sugar levels quickly, such as table sugar, honey, candy.

Serious allergy symptoms are known to rarely occur as a result of taking this drug. Even so, immediately go to the doctor when you see an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling of the face / tongue / throat area, severe dizziness, and shortness of breath.

The above list is not a complete list of the possible side effects that can occur due to consumption of Glucotrol. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects that you are worried about will occur.

Glucotrol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should I pay attention to before taking Glucotrol?

• Tell your doctor about any drug allergies you have, especially allergies to Glucotrol (glipizide) and other medicines. Glucotrol may contain other ingredients that have the potential to cause an allergic reaction
• Inform your health condition, both past and current illnesses, such as diabetes ketoacidosis, kidney or liver disease, chronic diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, abnormalities in the pituitary gland / adrenal gland, history of heart disease or if you are malnourished
• You may experience blurred vision, weakness, and drowsiness due to drastic changes in blood sugar levels. Do not do any activity that requires high alertness after the injection before knowing how your body responds to Glucotrol
• This medicine may make you more susceptible to sun exposure. Limit yourself to direct sunlight. Don't sunbathe. Use sun cream and protective clothing when outside. Tell your doctor if you find your skin burning
• Before undergoing any surgical procedure, including dental surgery, tell your doctor / dentist about all types of treatment you have
• Tell your doctor if you are planning or are pregnant. The use of Glucotrol for pregnant and lactating women may not be recommended

Is Glucotrol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Studies conducted on animals have shown side effects on the fetus. However, there has not been adequate research conducted by pregnant women. Give this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus.

The US Food and Drug Administration includes this drug in the category C pregnancy risk (possibly risky). It is not yet known whether Oini is released by the body through breast milk or not. However, pregnant women should not take this drug while breastfeeding.

Glucotrol Drug Interactions

Some drugs cannot be taken at the same time because they can cause drug interactions. Drug interactions can cause your medications not to work properly or increase the risk of side effects. Some drugs that may interact with the glipizide contained in Glucotrol:

• Anticoagulants
• Aspirin
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
• Beta blockers, such as atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol
• Diuretic
• Family planning pills
• Amlodipine
• Nicardipine

Tell your doctor and pharmacist all medicines you have or are currently taking, including prescription / non-prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal products to prevent interactions and increase the risk of side effects.

Glucotrol overdose

What should I do if I overdose on Glucotrol?

In an emergency or overdose, immediately contact emergency medical assistance (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital. Glucotrol overdose can cause dangerous hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are characterized by extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, difficulty speaking, tremors, abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.

What if I forget to take medicine?

If you miss your scheduled medication, take it as soon as possible 30 minutes before eating. If it is too close to the schedule for taking the next medication, ignore the missed schedule and continue on the normal schedule. Do not double your dose on a single medication schedule.