Glipizide is used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by a type of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) called type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, your body does not work properly to store excess sugar and the sugar remains in your bloodstream. Chronic high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems in the future.

Proper diet is the first step in managing type 2 diabetes, but often medicines are needed to help your body. Glipizide belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, directing your body to store blood sugar. This helps lower blood sugar and restore the way you use food to make energy.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the extended release tablet whole. Do not split, crush, or chew it.

If you are taking the extended release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Anxiety

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chills

cold sweats

coma

confusion

cool, pale skin

depression

difficulty with moving

dizziness

fainting

fast heartbeat

headache

increased hunger

joint pain

leg cramps

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pain or stiffness

nausea

nervousness

nightmares

pain in the joints

problems in urination or increase in the amount of urine

seizures

shakiness

slurred speech

sweating

swollen joints

unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain

bloating

bloody or black, tarry stools

body aches or pain

burning, dry, or itching eyes

clay-colored stools

congestion

constipation

cough

dark urine

decreased vision or other changes in vision

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

difficult or painful urination

dryness or soreness of the throat

excessive tearing

fainting

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

feeling of warmth

fever

heartburn

hoarseness

indigestion

itching

loss of appetite

pain in the eye

pounding in the ears

rash

redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest

redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

runny nose

severe stomach pain

shortness of breath

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness in the chest

trouble in swallowing

unpleasant breath odor

voice changes

vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

wheezing

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Agitation

back or leg pains

bleeding gums

blood in the urine or stools

chest pain

convulsions

decreased urine output

fluid-filled skin blisters

general body swelling

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

high fever

hostility

increased thirst

irritability

lethargy

light-colored stools

lower back or side pain

muscle twitching

nosebleeds

pinpoint red pots on the skin

rapid weight gain

sensitivity to the sun

skin thinness

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stupor

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

unusual bleeding or bruising

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Indigestion

passing of gas

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

full feeling

pain

sleeplessness

sneezing

stuffy nose

trouble sleeping

unable to sleep

Rare

Decreased interest in sexual intercourse

dizziness or lightheadedness

excessive muscle tone

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

flushing or redness of the skin

headache, severe and throbbing

hives or welts

inability to have or keep an erection

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

mood or mental changes

muscle stiffness

muscle tension or tightness

sensation of spinning

skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

unusually warm skin

walking in unusual manner

weight loss

Incidence not known

Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

severe sunburn

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

It is very important to follow carefully any instructions from your health care team about:

Alcohol—Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
Counseling—Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, patients with diabetes may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur in patients with diabetes during pregnancy.
Travel—Keep your recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.
Check with your doctor right away if you start having chest pain or discomfort; nausea; pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck; shortness of breath; sweating; or vomiting while you are using this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious heart problem, including a heart attack.

Glipizide can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, this can also occur if you delay or miss a meal or snack, drink alcohol, exercise more than usual, cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting, take certain medicines, or take glipizide with another type of diabetes medicine. The symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so you can treat it quickly.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety; behavior change similar to being drunk; blurred vision; cold sweats; confusion; cool, pale skin; difficulty with thinking; drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat; headache (continuing); nausea; nervousness; nightmares; restless sleep; shakiness; slurred speech; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes; or drink fruit juice, non-diet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Glucagon is used in emergency situations when severe symptoms such as seizures (convulsions) or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe or needle, and know how to use it. Members of your household also should know how to use it.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.