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What is Glucotrol
 Glucotrol
is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to
help control blood sugar levels.
Glucotrol
is used to treat noninsulin-dependent (Type II) diabetes mellitus
(NIDDM) along with diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, if
necessary.
Glucotrol
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Glucotrol
Treatment with Glucotrol may increase the risk of
death from cardiovascular disease compared to treatment
of diabetes with diet alone or diet plus insulin. Discuss
with your doctor the risks and benefits of treatment with
Glucotrol.
Know the signs and symptoms of low blood
sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache, drowsiness,
weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and
nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets with
you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Follow
diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing
any of them can affect your blood sugar levels.
Do
not change your dose of Glucotrol without first talking
to your doctor.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar
and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
The
Glucotrol XL Extended Release Tablets should be swallowed
whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the tablets.
What you should find out before taking
Glucotrol
Before taking Glucotrol, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have thyroid disease;
- have Type 1 diabetes
mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes);
- have a serious
infection, illness, or injury; or
- need surgery.
You may not be able to take Glucotrol, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Glucotrol is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This
means that it is not known whether Glucotrol will be harmful
to an unborn baby. Insulin is usually the drug of choice
to control diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take Glucotrol
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is
not known whether Glucotrol passes into breast milk. Do
not take Glucotrol without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Glucotrol Take Glucotrol exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Glucotrol is usually
taken before breakfast if it is taken once a day, or before
meals if it is taken multiple times each day. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
The Glucotrol XL Extended
Release Tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew,
divide, or crush the tablets.
Do not be concerned
if something that looks like a tablet occasionally appears
in the stool. With the Glucotrol XL Extended Release Tablets,
the medication is contained in a non-absorbable shell that
has been specially designed to slowly release the drug so
the body can absorb it. When this process is completed,
the empty tablet is eliminated from the body.
Do
not change your dose of Glucotrol without first talking
to your doctor.
Store Glucotrol at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Glucotrol overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety,
cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and
coma.
Avoid while taking Glucotrol Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely.
Changing any of these things can effect your blood sugar
levels.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and
may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Tell
your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication
before you undergo any surgery.
Do not take any over-the-counter
cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight loss medications without
first talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Glucotrol Stop taking Glucotrol and seek emergency medical
attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips,
tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side
effects from Glucotrol result mostly from blood sugar levels
that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar
with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels
and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your
family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency
situation.
Low blood sugar may occur when too much
Glucotrole is taken; when meals are missed or delayed; if
you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially
with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications;
after drinking alcohol; and in other situations.
Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar has the following symptoms:
- shaking;
- headache;
- cold sweats;
- pale, cool skin;
- anxiety; and
-
difficulty concentrating.
Keep hard, sugary candy;
chocolate; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat
episodes of low blood sugar.
Increased blood sugar
may occur when not enough Glucotrol is taken; if you eat
significantly more food then usual; if you exercise less
than usual; if you take other medications; during fever
or other illness; and in other situations.
Hyperglycemia
or High blood sugar has the following symptoms:
-
increased thirst,
- increased hunger, and
-
increased urination.
There may be an increased risk
of death due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels)
complications with the use of Glucotrol when compared to
the treatment of diabetes with diet or diet plus insulin.
The long-term use of Glucotrol should be discussed with
your doctor.
Side effects other than those listed
here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Glucotrol Many other medicines may increase or decrease the
effects of Glucotrol or affect your condition. Before taking
Glucotrol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
- aspirin or another salicylate
such as magnesium/choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate
(Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium
salicylate (Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such
as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen
(Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam),
etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve),
and others;
- a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
(Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine
(Azulfidine);
- a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate),
or phenelzine (Nardil);
- a beta-blocker such as
propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral),
metoprolol (Lopressor), and others;
- a diuretic
(water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril),
chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others;
- a steroid
medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others),
methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone,
Pediapred, others), and others;
- a phenothiazine
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin,
Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan),
and others;
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- isoniazid
(Nydrazid); or
- prescription, over-the-counter,
or herbal cough, cold, allergy, or weight loss medications.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Glucotrol
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
