General Information on Glucotrol XL
The generic name of Glucotrol XL is glipizide and it is an oral drug prescribed for lower blood glucose levels. It belongs to the sulfonylurea class of medicines while its therapeutic class is Hypoglycemic. Glucotrol XL is always prescribed by doctors to be taken along with a specified diet and an exercise program and it helps the pancreas in producing insulin. You can buy Glucotrol XL from pharmacies if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to function properly and thus cannot store excess sugar. The excess sugar remains in the bloodstream and this can cause serious health problems. Glucotrol XL stimulates the pancreas to release insulin and thus lowers the blood sugar level.
Side effects of Glucotrol XL
Administration of Glucotrol XL can lead to minor as well as severe but rare side effects. Some of the most common glipizide side effects include severe allergic reactions, like the swelling of face or lips. Some of the other symptoms that you might see include difficulty in breathing, hives, swelling of tongue and lumps in the throat, and itchy skin. Some of the other less serious side effects include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes and redness of skin due to irritation. Most of these symptoms disappear with time, but you need to consult a doctor if they persist.
Some serious side effects of Glucotrol XL include bleeding gums, bleeding nose, rapid heart rate, yellow and pale skin, fever, dark colored urine, nausea and dizziness followed by vomiting, sweating and constant thirsty feeling, tiredness and fainting or passing out. If any of these symptoms occur, you should immediately consult your doctor.
Precautions
You should buy Glucotrol XL exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You need to consult your doctor before opting for Glucotrol XL treatment if you are already on medication for the treatment of liver disease, chronic diarrhea, kidney disease, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), pituitary gland disorder, and adrenal gland disorder. If you have a history of allergic reaction to glipizide or any other similar drug, you need to inform your physician and take necessary precautions.
Glucotrol XL Dosage
Glucotrol XL is available as Glucotrol XL 2.5mg, Glucotrol XL 5mg, and Glucotrol XL 10mg tablets which are in white or blue color. The dosage is recommended to start with Glucotrol XL 5mg tablets taken with breakfast every day. If you are sensitive to hypoglycemic drugs then most doctors will prescribe starting doses of Glucotrol XL 2.5mg every day. Apart from the medication, levels of Hemoglobin A1C will be measured once every 3 months to document your recovery. If the results of the test show that your glycemic control is inadequate then the doctor might increase the dose to one Glucotrol XL 10mg tablet a day, and in serious cases a 20 mg tablet might be required everyday.
Interactions
Interactions can occur if Glucotrol XL is taken with other medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, salicylates, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, chloramphenicol, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, coumarins, and probenecid. When Glipizide is administered along with these drugs then it will increase the risk of hypoglycemia in a patient. When any of these drugs are withdrawn when Glucotrol XL is being administered then there is a potential risk of hyperglycemia.
