Get Informed: Glucotrol
Active Ingredient(s)
Glipizide
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is believed to work by stimulating insulin production by cells in the pancreas.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 10:55 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Glipizide
- Glucotrol
- Glipizide ER
- Glipizide XL
- Glucotrol XL
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 08 May 1984
- Est US Patients*
- 1,882,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Glucotrol or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Glucotrol
There have been no alerts regarding Glucotrol during the past year.
Glucotrol Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Glucotrol used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 11,000 patients that use Glucotrol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 98% | 
|
| Other | 2% |
|
How well does Glucotrol work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 11,000 users taking Glucotrol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 68%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Glucotrol outweigh the bad things.
- 26%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Glucotrol.
Common Side Effects of Glucotrol
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 11,000 users taking Glucotrol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
18% of patients experience side-effects on Glucotrol
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Glucotrol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Glucose Problems
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bladder/Urinary Problems, Constipation, Dizziness, Itch/Rash, Kidney Problems, Weakness, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Glucotrol (Glipizide) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 41 year old woman from Kentucky. I have been diagnosed with a variety of health problems, but my most troublesome one is the diabetis. Two months ago my doctor added glipizide 5 mg twice a day to my existing actos 30 mg once a day. During those two months, I gained 32 pounds, on top of my current weight problem. I was also full of gas, had constant diarehha (sp?), and had to urinate at least every hour. My sugar was constantly up and down, the lowest being in the early am hours. It would frequently be in the 40-50 range, and was so bad I couldn't even walk to the bathroom. I felt awful. I might add, that I was almost 100% following the dieticians low carb diet. I have never dieted so much without constant cheating. My 'doctor' was none to concerned about the problems. His solution was to take me off the glipizide and put me on insulin. I told him no, to let me keep trying it. I came home a little over two weeks ago, stopped taking the glipizde, started takingn a nutritional supplement called CLA and safflower oil, kept to my diet, and continued my walking. I feel better than ever and my sugar is doing pretty good. No more huge swings up and down.
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-23 23:21:48
Question/Comment:
Just turned 65. Kidney failure, plus, plus, plus. I'm a Type 2. Have used Glipizide successfully (started with 5 mg./ day) for four (4) years. Switched to 10 mg., twice daily this summer (2009). Then a junior physician creatively prescribed ACTOS in addition. That was a disaster; I gained 16 pounds in 5 days. (Fluid retention.) I gave up the ACTOS.
ACTOS, however, DID lower my blood sugar. It is now creeping back upward.
What can I take in combination with Glipizide? I take MANY other drugs also.
65 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-25 20:21:29
Question/Comment:
What is the difference between Glyburide and Glipizide?.
I recently changed from Glyburide to Glipizide.
Feel much better.
75 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 00:43:42
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Both glyburide and glipizide are in the class of sulfonylureas, and both work in the same way to help to lower blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, glyburide is twice as potent as glipizide.
Posted: 2009-08-23 17:14:26
Question/Comment:
Can anyone tell me What meds I can take for diabetes when I also take Lexapro and Libium that will keep my sugar under control and not cause heart attacks?
70yr. old female
71 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-11 01:45:47
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
There are two types of diabetes and each are treated with different types of medication. Type 1 diabetes is when your body does not make any insulin, and Type 2 is when your body is resistant to the effects of insulin or your body does not make enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes involves treatment with insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with a variety of oral medications as well as diet and exercise. An important step would be to make an appointment with your doctor for blood work. He/she will determine which medications will control your diabetes best.
Posted: 2009-08-16 15:50:05
Question/Comment:
I know this is off the subject, but where can I get help with my husband's Type 2 Diabetes. He won't test, eat right or exercise, and I am very concerned. He is on Metformin, Lisinopril and Gemfibrozil. He also doesn't have insurance so can't go to his physician as often as he should or for his tests. He gets very angry when he receives a bill requesting payment. He has Glipizide here but has stopped taking it, to my knowledge. He has constant, explosive bowel movements, has lost some weight and temper problems.
Does taking any of these meds cause temper flare ups, a sour attitude or depression? I've noticed these changes over the years. He is having problems with his arms and hands hurting, sleeping through the night, vision waning and hunger bouts where he will eat three to four times in the evening, then he goes to bed or lays on his bed and watches TV. Nothing I say will hinder him from practicing these bad habits.
Help and thank you.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-24 14:52:03
Answer/Reply:
My husbanbd also has type 2 diabetes. What you are describing sounds like your hubby is slowly killing himself, already he has the starting of neuropathy, which can cause him to lose his limbs. My hubby's mom had the same thing, and she lost her leg from the knee down. She was also "blind" that is she could only she thru a magifiying lense. THe higher your hubby's blood sugar goes the possibality of going into a diabetic coma. THere is help for unisured by going to ypour local state office and to see if he is able to be put on medicaid, or could be put on medicare.
And he may also need the "tough love" approach. Also try and she if he could be put onb some kinda anti-depressant, that would help with his mood swings. I dont want to scare you but having diabetes, and not taking care of one self, is a slow and somewhat painful death. My mother-inlaw passed away due to heart failure. There is help out there, you only have to look.
45 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-02 19:14:28
Answer/Reply:
also ask your doctor about a prescription assistance program thru the drug companies. it goes by your income and u will get ur meds for free. i do and i take about 12 different meds a day for type 2 diabetes, heart disease,high cholesterol,high blood pressure and depression. RxAssist - Patient Assistance Programs. do a web search for that it will have all the forms and info about what to ask ur doctor. when i was married my wife and i made over 33,000 a year and still qualified for assistance, it is a god send for me. hope this helps
47 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-28 15:52:45
Answer/Reply:
Your husband is probably in denial. It happened to me. There are bouts of depression (not too severe) but the come and when accompanied by the doctor's bill it can become severe. The Metformin an Glipizide are very suspect as it relates to explosive bowel movements...may want to try another med with doctor's approval, such as Janumet (since I've been taking) the bm's are less frequent but they still come pretty regularly.
I also had pain in the arms mostly; it only stops when exercising.
59 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-13 14:45:39
Answer/Reply:
Just a thought. Is your husband a veteran ? If so,contact VA and get him signed up for benifits.[He dosnt have to be a disabled vet,just a vet] I did this and I pay 8.00 per prescription,and nothing for any doctors visits or tests.This is based on income.Disabled vets get theres free.
I take 6 diff. meds twice a day at 48.00 per month.
Believe me when I say that I am VERY thank ful for this benefit as my income wouldn't allow me to buy my meds.without it.GOOD LUCK!!!!
67 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-28 12:44:24
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
43
Patient Comments about
Glucotrol