Glipizide

(GLIP i zide)

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to glipizide or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If your child has a sulfa (sulfonamide) allergy, talk with the doctor.
• Long-acting products: Not if your child has a narrowing of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract or a bowel block.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem or type 1 diabetes.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

How does this drug work?

• Glipizide raises insulin levels and helps tissues respond better to the insulin.

How is this drug given?

• This drug may be used alone or with other high blood sugar (diabetes) drugs.
• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• Fast release:
• Give 30 minutes before the first meal of the day.
• Long-acting products:
• Give this drug with the first meal of the day.
• Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few weeks to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Do not run out of this drug.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• Be careful if your child has G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.
• Have your child's blood work checked often. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Get your child an eye exam every year.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Tell your child's doctor if your child has had repeated low blood sugar or if you do not know the signs of very low blood sugar.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Long-acting tablet shell in the stool.
• Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Weight gain.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows any signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color or sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child shows signs of low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• If your child has very bad belly pain.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child is not able to eat.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.