Before taking glipizide

Before taking glipizide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney or liver problems.
• If you have porphyria (a blood disorder).
• If you are a type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take glipizide

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take your dose exactly as you have been directed by your doctor. This is usually shortly before breakfast or lunch.
• Try to take glipizide at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you forget to take a dose, take one shortly before your next meal and then continue at the usual times. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• It is important that you follow any dietary and lifestyle advice that you have been given, such as reducing the sugary energy foods you eat and increasing the amount of exercise you take.
• You must keep your regular appointments with your doctor or diabetic clinic. These are to check on your progress.
• Your doctor may recommend that you test for sugar in the blood or urine to check your diabetes is being well controlled.
• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is likely to occur if you miss a meal, if you exercise more than usual, if you cannot eat because of sickness or if you drink a lot of alcohol. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia (sometimes called 'hypos') include sweating, paleness, headache, faintness or drowsiness. If these occur, drink or eat something containing sugar followed by a starchy snack such as a sandwich, to raise your blood sugar.
• Drivers should take special care on long journeys. If hypoglycaemia occurs, you should stop in a safe place, switch off the engine, eat or drink something containing sugar, and wait at least fifteen minutes before continuing on your journey. Driving is not permitted when you are unable to recognise the warning signs of a hypoglycaemic attack.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
• Glipizide may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than it is usually. Avoid sunbeds and strong sunlight until you know how your skin reacts.
• If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

Can glipizide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

How to store glipizide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• British National Formulary; 58th Edition (September 2009) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.