Glipizide and Metformin are combined in this medicine.
Glipizide + Metformin helps treat your diabetes by keeping your blood sugar under control.
This medicine is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Glipizide + Metformin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Glipizide + Metformin must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- metabolic acidosis (a condition when there is too much acid in the blood) including diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes)
- severe kidney disease
as Glipizide + Metformin may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder where the body lacks a certain enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of red blood cells)
- heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- problems with adrenal or pituitary gland
- suffering from malnutrition (lack of proper nutrition)
- stress-related state e.g. infection, fever, injury
- liver disease
- mild to moderate kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Glipizide + Metformin to the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). Elderly people and debilitated individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol or if you are a frequent drinker.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery or dental work, or any examination which involves an injection of contrast media that contains iodine (e.g. x-ray), inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, sugar and electrolyte levels, other blood tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
To help control your diabetes, it is important to continue following the diet and exercise recommended by your doctor while you are taking Glipizide + Metformin.
If you are taking this medicine, you may have been warned about hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, and sweating. These signs are your body's way of warning you that your blood sugar level is low.
It is important to recognise these symptoms and get relief for hypoglycaemia quickly, as the hypoglycaemia may worsen.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Always carry some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you. Take 15 grams of glucose tablet at the first sign of hypoglycaemia, wait for 15 minutes and re-check your blood sugar level. If you are not feeling better or if your blood sugar level is still low (less than 4 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL), take another 15 grams of glucose tablet.
If you don't have glucose tablets, you may take any of the following:
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (not sugar-free)
Get medical help should symptoms not improve after the second serving.
Glipizide + Metformin may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, headache, and dizziness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, weakness, shaking or feeling jittery
- abdominal pain or discomfort, decreased appetite, body weakness, muscle cramps or pain, extreme tiredness
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- certain medicines for mood disorders e.g. chlorpromazine, fluphenazine
- certain medicines to treat depression e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines)
- birth control pills
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, topiramate
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. metoprolol, nifedipine
- isoniazid (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])
- certain medicines to treat fungal infection
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, warfarin
- probenecid (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Glipizide + Metformin.
Colesevelam may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine when taken at the same time. If you are taking colesevelam, take Glipizide + Metformin at least 4 hours before your colesevelam dose.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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