Nowadays in 2022, treating type 2 diabetes involves the use of a wide range of meds. It’s important to pick up the most suitable variants for each patient. There are so many factors that should be taken into account. Glucotrol (Glipizide) is one of the most popular and effective variants that fit the requirements of many patients.
Glucotrol represents the meds termed sulfonylureas. Glipizide belongs to a drug class of antidiabetics that is widely used in modern pharmacy. It’s as effective as chlorpropamide is. The meds are short-acting and are second-generation agents with hypoglycemic activity.
So what is Glipizide applied for? While sulfonylureas yearn for functional pancreatic beta cells for their therapeutic efficiency, sulfonylureas are ofttimes applied when it comes to curing early-stage type 2 diabetes. They assist in downgrading blood sugar levels by provoking the pancreas to secrete insulin. It’s one of the most commonly prescribed meds.
What Is Glipizide Used For
Glucotrol (Glipizide) makes your pancreatic gland amplify the quantity of insulin it generates in the organism. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. It allows the cells of the organism to absorb glucose. The main function of insulin is to lower your blood sugar. When the organism doesn’t consume insulin fitly or doesn’t give enough insulin, diabetes arises.
It’s worth highlighting that Glucotrol should be applied only in combo with a felicitous diet and physical activities. Otherwise, you can’t count on the correct outcome. The meds are ordinarily applied together with metformin, a biguanide, in order to reach aim HbA1c in humans with inadequate metabolic regulation in 3 months.
Sometimes the meds are prescribed for other issues. Yet, it can be done only by a specialist.
Treat Type 2 Diabetes
The commonplace answer to the question, “What is Glipizide used for?” is for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is a destruction in the way the organism regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a propellant. It’s a lifelong disease. 23.6 million Americans have diabetes – 7.8% of the US population. 5.7 million of them do not realize they suffer from the disease. 90–95% of diabetic patients have T2D.
Type 2 is the most widespread variation of the illness. It impinges not only on adults but also on children, teenagers, and even toddlers. In T2D, the organism is not able to function accurately to accumulate extra sugar, so it nests in the stream of the blood. There are several warning signs showing you may suffer from T2D. The most prevalent of them are weight loss, dry mouth, itchy skin, fatigue, excessive thirst. More serious symptoms include foot pain, yeast infections, slow-healing cuts, or dark patches on the surface of the skin.
Humans with diabetes yearn for the cure to regulate the volume of sugar in the organism. Perfect regulation of blood carbohydrate levels lessens the risk of complications that are hypothetical in the nearest future. Some individuals are able to adjust the carbohydrate in their organisms by altering the meals they eat. Yet, there are humans who yearn for Glucotrol apace with the alterations in diet. Glipizide serves by augmenting the quantity of insulin that the pancreas creates. It can be prescribed on its own or apace with other antidiabetic meds. Another variant is insulin.
Take into account that the meds are not proper for healing Е1В or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Glipizide Dosage
The first thing that should be highlighted is that Glipizide (Glucotrol) is a prescription drug. It’s a strong medication that requires a prescription from a doctor. That’s why prior to starting taking the tablets, confirm with the specialist.
The meds are produced in diverse doses. It’s viable to purchase tablets: 5 mg and 10 mg. For extended-release tablets, the following variations are available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg.
The Glipizide dosage depends on the following factors:
- Age of the individual.
It reflects dissimilarities in organism composition and functioning. It’s crucial to consider that renal function is low at birth and swiftly augments during the first weeks of life. The age of a patient also modifies the hepatic metabolism of meds. - Weight.
- Sex.
- Renal function.
- Liver function.
- Genetic aspects.
Glipizide (Glucotrol) has to be taken only according to the doctor’s prescription.
For Adults
For grownups, the dose is about 2.5 mg daily. It can be augmented by 2.5–5 mg every few days based on blood glucose antiphon. The maximum daily dose for elders is 15mg per time. The maximum total daily dose is 40mg.
Elderly individuals who are over 65 years old may perform a stronger reaction, so they are oftentimes prescribed smaller doses.
For Kids
Safety and efficiency in children have not been established. Moreover, for young kids, there is no innocuous dose of these meds. Even one tablet can induce a kid’s blood carbohydrate to fall dangerously low, provoking seizures, coma, or death. These effects may not arise for 24 hours and can last up to 3 days. Yet, it hinges on the health condition of the kids. Glucotrol may be prescribed only after a thorough examination by a specialist. Even if the parents of the child have T2D and take Glipizide, it doesn’t mean that their child has to take it, too. It can be dangerous and lead to fatal results.
During Pregnancy
It’s prominent to realize that the supervision of diabetes is crucial during child-bearing. High blood carbohydrate induces health issues in both the mother and the kid. You should consult a doctor or pharmacist. Yet, you may need to cease taking Glucotrol for a short time till the childbirth.
Moreover, there is no competent research in females for impelling infant risk when using these meds during breastfeeding. You should weigh the probable benefits against probable risks prior to taking the meds while breastfeeding.
It’s worth highlighting that you should strictly comply with the doctor’s instructions. The specialists know how long it takes for the meds to dissolve in the stomach, release an active substance to the blood, and reach the brain. When used in the wrong way, Glipizide (Glucotrol) can change the way the meds function in the organism and brain. It can put the patient at greater risk for an overdose. Yet, the doctor can occasionally alter your dose, grounding on your health condition.
If you forget to take a pill, do it as soon as possible. Yet, you should take a pill only if you are ready to snack. It’s forbidden to take two doses per one time.
When to Take This Drug
It’s necessary to take the regular tablet 30 minutes before breakfast. If the Glucotrol extended-release meds are prescribed, you have to take a tablet during the first ingestion of the day. You don’t need to crush, chew, or break the pill. You should only swallow it.
The active extent of the meds is about 12-24 hours. Moreover, it’s of prime importance not to miss the meals when taking the pills. The thing is, if you take Glucotrol (Glipizide) without food, the meds make the organism dispense insulin, and the level of blood sugar can go dangerously low. This happens because food augments our blood carbohydrate, and the organism’s natural response is to supply insulin to lessen blood sugar.
It’s necessary to store the meds at room temperature away from humidity, warmth, and sunlight.
Common Side Effects of Glucotrol
The reality is that any medication can have all kinds of side effects. Humans are such individuals that they can react very differently to any drug. Like any other medication, Glipizide (Glucotrol) may have concomitants. You can experience headaches or irritability. Such phenomena as sweating or rapid heart rate are also possible.
There are several reasons why side effects appear:
- The meds do not fit a patient.
It’s necessary to inform your physician about all peculiarities of the organism and health to evade undesired outcome. - The dosage a patient takes is incorrect.
The thing is that T2D is an illness that is to be supervised all the time. If your condition alters, the quantity of the drugs has to be changed, too. - You do not comply with the instructions.
Missed or overused tablets lead to catastrophic implications.
The following cases are the most prevalent Glipizide side effects.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is a fall in blood sugar to levels under normal. Blood sugar under 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered to be low. Blood carbohydrate at or under this level can be detrimental. Signs of poor blood sugar embrace hunger, trembling, heart racing, nausea, and sweating. In more serious cases, it can induce coma or even death.
If you have such symptoms, contact your physician as soon as possible.
Nausea
Nausea is an unpleasant feeling of discomfort or unease in the stomach. It often happens prior to vomiting. The most prevalent signs and symptoms of nausea encompass weakness, sweating, a buildup of saliva in your mouth, and an urge to vomit.
If you have such symptoms, contact your physician as soon as possible.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is more frequent and more liquid bowel movements than normal. The main sign of this disorder is loose and watery stools. The symptoms can also include abdominal pain and cramping, vomiting, fever, chills, bloody stools, and the lack of bowel regulation.
If you have such symptoms, contact your physician as soon as possible.
Dizziness
If you experience a feeling of being lightheaded, woozy, or unbalanced, you actually know what dizziness is. This condition modifies the sensory organs, especially the eyes and ears. Sometimes it can lead to faintings. You can also experience a false sense of spinning, unsteadiness, loss of balance, or feeling of floating or swimming.
If you have such symptoms, contact your physician as soon as possible.
Rash
A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. It can be itchy, red, painful, and irritated. Sometimes it induces patches of raw skin.
If you have such symptoms, contact your physician as soon as possible.
Moreover, even if you feel that something goes wrong and the meds do not work or act in the wrong way, contact the specialist as soon as possible.
Pros and Cons of Glipizide (Glucotrol)
One of the major benefits you obtain from the drug is that it assists in lowering your A1C levels by 1-2%. Glipizide performs almost instant absorption and assault of action with the shortest half-life and extent of action. The meds are to trim the risk for abiding hypoglycemia. It’s very prominent while this condition is often observed with blood glucose-lowering agents.
There are copious meds applied to treat patients with diabetes. The greater part of them is dangerous for patients with kidney disorders. Yet, Glipizide is a good decision for this issue. To get the right cure, it’s necessary to talk to your physician. Meantime, this drug is not proper for humans who take meds from HIV.
One of the main disadvantages of the meds is that you are compelled to take the pills strictly on time. Yet, Glucotrol is taken orally, which is quite convenient. It’s a perfect alternative for needles or injections.
The next great disadvantage is a wide range of meds that should not be combined with Glipizide. Such popular samples as aspirin or chromium are not a good combo for Glucotrol.
The following table represents the main pros and cons of Glipizide:
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable for everyone | May lead to a certain weight gain |
| Effective | Copious side-effects |
| Good for patients with kidney disorders | Forbidden for patients with diabetic ketoacidosis |
| You can’t miss or skip the meds |
Interaction with Other Medications
Drugs are to interact with each other. Sometimes such interactions have positive outcomes, but sometimes they may lead to catastrophic consequences. That’s why you are compelled to inform your doctor about all the meds you take. The same is true about your health condition. You should inform about all the illnesses you have, both chronic and temporary.
It’s necessary to avoid combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID for short with Glipizide. The most popular of them are Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Diclofenac. The thing is, such meds are oftentimes the reason for poor blood carbohydrates. The same is true about antifungal meds. If you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors to cope with your depression, Glipizide may be harmful to you. The tablets that encompass salicylate and sulfonamide are to be evaded, too.
Yet, it’s not your task to choose what categories of meds you should prefer. Without consultations with your MD, you can’t take or give up these or those drugs. The specialist should consider your medical history to decide what pills are preferable.
Glipizide Warnings
Glipizide (Glucotrol) is a rather trendy drug, while it’s effective. Although you should wait for a definite period of time until you notice the first results, the med really works. Yet, Glucotrol is not good for anyone. There are manifold significant Glipizide usual warnings you have to take into consideration before you purchase the tablets.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Warning
Diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA is a medically decreased insulin level, as well as glucose usage, and augmented gluconeogenesis because of increased level of counter-regulatory hormones, such as catecholamines, glucagon, and cortisol. If this condition is relevant for you, you are compelled to evade taking Glucotrol. To obtain the correct cure, you need to visit your physician.
Fatal Heart Problems Warning
Nowadays, heart disease is one of the most widespread illnesses. Lots of humans experience diverse heart disorders. Glipizide is associated with a greater risk of death. It’s not a secret that many patients with T2D also have coronary artery disease.
Low Blood Sugar Warning
You should keep in mind that an overdose of Glucotrol may lead to poor blood sugar. The major symptoms of the disorder are sweating, tiredness, exhaustion, trembling, and palpitations.
Allergy Warning
Sulfonamides are synthetic antibacterial components and are wide-spectrum drugs active against a range of bacterial species. If you have an allergy to one of such drugs, evade consuming Glucotrol. Moreover, the product may encompass inactive elements, which can induce allergic reactions or other health problems.
Alcohol Interaction Warning
For patients with type 2 diabetes, it’s better to evade drinking any alcohol. Moreover, when it comes to people who have prescriptions for Glucotrol, they can experience disruptions of the product of glucose in the liver. If you break the prohibition, it can drive to such side effects as headache, flushing, extremely poor blood sugar levels, and sudden alterations in blood pressure.
Drugs Similar to Glucotrol (Glipizide)
Several drugs similar to Glucotrol (glipizide) are available within the sulfonylurea class, all working to stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells to lower blood sugar levels. Micronase, also known as glyburide, shares a similar mechanism of action with glipizide and is commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes management. Additionally, Gliclazide, marketed under various brand names such as Diamicron, operates similarly to glipizide in enhancing insulin release from the pancreas. These sulfonylurea medications serve as effective alternatives to Glucotrol for individuals requiring pharmacological interventions to improve insulin secretion and achieve glycemic control. However, it’s essential to consider individual patient factors such as tolerance, risk of hypoglycemia, and potential drug interactions when selecting the most suitable medication from this class.