Product Details

What you need to know before you take Glipizide Tablets 5mg

Do not take Glipizide Tablets 5mg: • If you are allergic to glipizide, similar antidiabetic medicines or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). • If you have insulin-dependent diabetes (also called juvenile or Type I diabetes) which would have probably started in your childhood. • If you have ketone bodies and sugar in your urine (this may mean you may have diabetic ketoacidosis). • If you suffer from episodes of unconsciousness (this may mean you may have diabetic coma). • If you have problems with your kidneys or liver. • If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding. • If you are currently taking miconazole to treat fungal infections. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Glipizide Tablets 5mg: • If you have been told that you have problems with your adrenal or pituitary glands. Page 2 of 6 • If you are about to have major surgery, have had a recent injury (trauma) or develop a fever or severe infection. (See Section 3 “If you are going to have an operation” for further information). • If you suffer from G6PD deficiency (a disease that causes abnormal destruction of your red blood cells). You should test your blood and urine glucose regularly, particularly if you are elderly, debilitated or malnourished. If the results of the tests are outside the limits recommended by your doctor you should contact them immediately. Glipizide Tablets 5mg can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), which is characterised by confusion, faintness, sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, shakiness (tremor) and visual disturbances. (These symptoms may also be unrelated to hypoglycaemia). Low blood sugar levels can be prevented by taking a regular intake of carbohydrates (e.g. bread, or other products containing starch/sugar). You should eat regular meals, and not exercise heavily or for a long period without eating something first. Other medicines and Glipizide Tablets 5mg Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. When given with Glipizide Tablets 5mg, the following medicines may reduce your blood sugar levels too much: • Miconazole, fluconazole or voriconazole (used to treat fungal infections). • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (used to treat muscle and joint pain e.g. phenylbutazone). • Aspirin or aspirin like medicines known as salicylates (usually used as pain killers). • Beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions e.g. propranolol). • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure e.g. captopril). • Cimetidine (used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers and other digestive disorders). • Sulfonamides or chloramphenicol (used to treat bacterial infections). • Quinolones (used to treat bacterial infections). • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (used to treat depression). • Probenecid (drugs used to treat gout). • Coumarin anticoagulants (used to treat blood clots e.g. warfarin). • Fibrates (used to treat high cholesterol e.g. clofibrate). The following medicines may increase your blood sugar levels too much when given with Glipizide Tablets 5mg: • Danazol (a hormone treatment). • Phenothiazines tranquillisers (used to treat psychiatric conditions e.g. chlorpromazine, thioridazine). • Corticosteroids (used to treat inflammatory conditions (e.g. prednisolone). • Sympathomimetic agents, such as nasal decongestants and bronchodilators used to treat asthma (e.g. salbutamol, isoprenaline). • Hormonal agents, including oral contraceptives (the Pill) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). • Thiazides or other diuretics (water tablets e.g. bendroflumethiazide). • Thyroid products (used to treat patients with a low production of thyroid hormones). Page 3 of 6 • Phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy). • Nicotinic acid (used in vitamin supplements and to lower cholesterol and other lipid levels). • Calcium channel blocking agents (used to treat angina and high blood pressure e.g. nifedepine or verapamil). • Isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis). Glipizide Tablets 5mg with food, drink and alcohol As food may delay absorption of the drug, each dose should be taken 30 minutes before food. Try to avoid alcohol. Alcoholic drinks (wine, beer, spirits) can further increase the reduction in blood sugar levels and could cause unconsciousness (hypoglycaemic coma). Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Driving and using machines Glipizide Tablets 5mg should not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, you should be careful when you have just started taking this medicine or if you don’t use it regularly. Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia). These are characterised by confusion, faintness, sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, headache shakiness (tremor) and visual disturbances. If you are affected, do not drive or operate machines. Glipizide Tablets 5mg contains lactose monohydrate Lactose monohydrate is a type of sugar. If you have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.