Glucotrol XL Side Effects
Generic name: glipizide
Medically reviewed by drugclasses.com. Last updated on Jun 11, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about glipizide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Glucotrol XL.
Applies to glipizide: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
Serious side effects of Glucotrol XL
Along with its needed effects, glipizide (the active ingredient contained in Glucotrol XL) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glipizide:
Less common
- Anxiety
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chills
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- cool, pale skin
- depression
- difficulty with moving
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- headache
- increased hunger
- joint pain
- leg cramps
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pain or stiffness
- nausea
- nervousness
- nightmares
- pain in the joints
- problems in urination or increase in the amount of urine
- seizures
- shakiness
- slurred speech
- sweating
- swollen joints
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- bloating
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- body aches or pain
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- clay-colored stools
- congestion
- constipation
- cough
- dark urine
- decreased vision or other changes in vision
- diarrhea
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficult or painful urination
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- excessive tearing
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- feeling of warmth
- fever
- heartburn
- hoarseness
- indigestion
- itching
- loss of appetite
- pain in the eye
- pounding in the ears
- rash
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- runny nose
- severe stomach pain
- shortness of breath
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- tightness in the chest
- trouble in swallowing
- unpleasant breath odor
- voice changes
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- wheezing
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- back or leg pains
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- chest pain
- convulsions
- decreased urine output
- fluid-filled skin blisters
- general body swelling
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- high fever
- hostility
- increased thirst
- irritability
- lethargy
- light-colored stools
- lower back or side pain
- muscle twitching
- nosebleeds
- pinpoint red pots on the skin
- rapid weight gain
- sensitivity to the sun
- skin thinness
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stupor
- swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Other side effects of Glucotrol XL
Some side effects of glipizide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Indigestion
- passing of gas
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- pain
- sleeplessness
- sneezing
- stuffy nose
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
Rare
- Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- excessive muscle tone
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- flushing or redness of the skin
- headache, severe and throbbing
- hives or welts
- inability to have or keep an erection
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- mood or mental changes
- muscle stiffness
- muscle tension or tightness
- sensation of spinning
- skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- unusually warm skin
- walking in unusual manner
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
- severe sunburn
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to glipizide: compounding powder, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
General
The more commonly reported side effects have included dizziness, diarrhea, nervousness, tremor, hypoglycemia, and flatulence.[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia
Uncommon (less than 1%): Thirst
Frequency not reported: Disulfiram like reactions, hepatic porphyria, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), elevation of LDH[Ref]
Disulfiram-like reactions have been reported with sulfonylureas. Clinical experience has shown this drug to have a low incidence of disulfiram-like alcohol reactions.[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Leucopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, pancytopenia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Syncope
Uncommon (less than 1%): Arrhythmia, flushing, hypertension[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Impaired hepatic function, hepatitis, jaundice, mild to moderate ALT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase elevations
Postmarketing reports: Cholestatic and hepatocellular forms of liver injury accompanied by jaundice[Ref]
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects frequently disappear with continued therapy. Photosensitivity has been reported with other sulfonylureas.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, pruritus
Uncommon (less than 1%): Rash, urticaria
Frequency not reported: Rash, erythema, morbilliform or maculopapular eruptions, urticaria, pruritus, eczema[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gastralgia, vomiting, flatulence, dyspepsia
Uncommon (less than 1%): Anorexia, trace blood in stool
Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal irritation, gastrointestinal bleeding
Postmarketing reports: Abdominal pain[Ref]
Gastrointestinal side effects appear to be dose-related and may disappear on division or reduction of dosage.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Polyuria
Uncommon (less than 1%): Dysuria[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, leg cramps, myalgia[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, nervousness, tremors, paresthesia, hypesthesia
Uncommon (less than 1%): Migraine
Frequency not reported: Drowsiness[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision
Uncommon (less than 1%): Pain in the eye, conjunctivitis, retinal hemorrhage
Frequency not reported: Diplopia, abnormal vision, visual impairment, decreased vision[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, pain
Uncommon (less than 1%): Chills, edema
Frequency not reported: Vertigo, malaise[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, anxiety, depression
Frequency not reported: Confusion[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis
Uncommon (less than 1%): Pharyngitis, dyspnea[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Mild to moderate BUN and creatinine elevations
More about Glucotrol XL (glipizide)
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References
1. (2002) "Product Information. Glucotrol (glipizide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
4. Feinglos MN, Lebovitz HE (1983) "Long-term safety and efficacy of glipizide." Am J Med, 75, p. 60-6
5. Moder KG, Schwenk NM (1991) "A coproporphyria-like syndrome induced by glipizide." Mayo Clin Proc, 66, p. 312-6
6. Asplund K, Wiholm BE, Lundman B (1991) "Severe hypoglycaemia during treatment with glipizide." Diabet Med, 8, p. 726-31
7. Brogden RN, Heel RC, Pakes GE, Speight TM, Avery GS (1979) "Glipizide: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use." Drugs, 18, p. 329-53
8. Lebovitz HE (1985) "Glipizide: a second-generation sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agent. Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and clinical use." Pharmacotherapy, 5, p. 63-77
9. Prendergast BD (1984) "Glyburide and glipizide, second-generation oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents." Clin Pharm, 3, p. 473-85
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.