Glynase XL 5mg (Glipizide)

Glynase general information

What is Glynase used for?

Glynase tablets 5mg are an oral diabetes medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with mild to moderate type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone. Glynase XL-5 can be used alone as monotherapy, in conjunction with diet and exercise, or in combination with other antihyperglycaemic medication (lowers blood sugar), like metformin, when a single drug not result in adequate glycaemic control.

How does Glynase work?

Glynase tablets 5mg contain glipizide, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication belonging to the sulfonylurea group of drugs. Glipizide in Glynase XL-5 controls blood glucose (sugar) primarily by acting directly on the beta cells which are the insulin-producing cells of pancreatic islet tissue, to stimulate the cells to produce more insulin, which is effective within 30 minutes. Insulin is normally produced in response to food, and controls postprandial (after eating) blood glucose levels (glycaemic control); in diabetes, resistance to insulin results in loss of glycaemic control. Glynase tablets 5mg help the body to produce sufficient insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels after a meal as well as between meals. It is also thought that as well as acting as an insulin secretagogue (stimulates insulin secretion) glipizide in Glynase XL-5 also acts on insulin-responsive cells in the liver, muscle and fat cells to increase the number of receptors, which means that insulin control of glucose production by the liver and uptake of insulin into peripheral tissues for energy and storage, is more efficient. Maintaining glycaemic control with Glynase XL-5 reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

What does Glynase contain?

Glynase tablets 5mg contain the active ingredient glipizide, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication belonging to the sulfonylurea group of drugs, used to treat type-2 diabetes and formulated for slow sustained release into the blood.

Treating type 2 diabetes with Glynase

Glynase tablets 5mg contain glipizide, an oral antihyperglycaemic medication, used to control blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (also called non insulin-dependent diabetes or maturity onset diabetes) who are unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control (normal blood sugar levels) with diet and exercise alone. Glipizide in Glynase XL-5 controls blood glucose (sugar) primarily by acting directly on the insulin-producing beta cells of pancreatic islet tissue, to stimulate the cells to produce more insulin, which is effective within 30 minutes. Insulin is normally produced in response to food, and controls postprandial (after eating) blood glucose levels (glycaemic control); in diabetes, resistance to insulin results in loss of glycaemic control. Glynase tablets 5mg help the body to produce sufficient insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels after a meal as well as between meals. It is also thought that as well as stimulating insulin secretion, glipizide in Glynase XL-5 also acts on insulin-responsive cells in the liver, muscle and fat cells to increase the number of receptors, which means that insulin control of glucose production by the liver and insulin uptake into peripheral tissues for energy and storage, is more efficient. Maintaining glycaemic control with Glynase XL-5 reduces risk of serious health complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye with loss of vision), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

What are the side effects of Glynase?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Glynase include: gastrointestinal complaints like nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and stomach or abdominal pain; allergic skin reactions like, redness (erythema ), itching (pruritus), hives (urticaria); dizziness, drowsiness, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, malaise and tremor, which are usually transient and may be signs of hypoglycaemia. A more serious side effect of taking Glynase XL-5 is severe hypoglycaemia (very low blood glucose), as glipizide continues to work between meals to reduce blood sugar levels, so it is important to eat regularly; also certain other conditions like liver or kidney problems, or taking other medications like beta blockers, can make you more susceptible to hypoglycaemia.

When should Glynase not be used?

You should not use Glynase tablets 5mg if you:

• are allergic to glipizide or any ingredients in Glynase
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney, liver or thyroid disease
• have type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes or suffer from diabetic coma or diabetic ketoacidosis
• have G6PD deficiency as you may be at risk of haemolytic anaemia
• are malnourished or have adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, as this may increase risk of hypoglycaemia
• are taking medicines that interact with Glynase, including: the antifungals miconazole and fluconazole, non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) like phenylbutazone, salicylate analgesicis like aspirin, beta-blockers like propranolol for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions, ACE Inhibitors like benezapril for high blood pressure, cimetidine for peptic ulcers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors for depression, probenecid for gout, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antibiotic chloramphenicol, sulphonamide antibiotics, corticosteroids for inflammation, bronchodilators like salbutamol, thiazides and other diuretics, thyroid hormones, oestrogens and progestogens for oral contraceptives and HRT, phenytoin for epilepsy, nicotinic acid for high cholesterol, calcium channel blocking drugs like verapamil for angina, isoniazid for tuberculosis

What medications interact with Glynase?

Several medications interact with Glynase tablets 5mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Glynase or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Glynase and cause hypoglaemia (low blood sugar) : the antifungals miconazole and fluconazole, non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) like phenylbutazone, salicylate analgesics like aspirin, beta-blockers like propranolol for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions, ACE Inhibitors like benezapril for high blood pressure, cimetidine for peptic ulcers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors for depression, probenecid for gout, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antibiotic chloramphenicol, sulphonamide antibiotics, bronchodilators like salbutamol
• Drugs that affect Glynase and cause hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar): Danazol for hormone treatment, the antipsychotic chlorpromazine, corticosteroids for inflammation, bronchodilators like salbutamol, thiazides and other diuretics, thyroid hormones, oestrogens and progestogens for oral contraceptives and HRT, phenytoin for epilepsy, nicotinic acid for high cholesterol, calcium channel blocking drugs like verapamil for angina, isoniazid for tuberculosis

How should Glynase be taken?

You should take your Glynase tablets 5mg with a glass of water 15-20 minutes before a main meal, either breakfast of a midday meal. The dose you take depends on how well you respond and your doctor may increase your dose until your blood glucose has reached normal levels and remains controlled. You should continue to take your Glynase tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they with help maintain your blood sugar levels but will not cure your diabetes.

How long should you take Glynase?

You should continue to take your Glynase tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they with help maintain your blood sugar levels but will not cure your diabetes.

Missed dose of Glynase

If you miss a dose of Glynase tablets 5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Glynase be stored?

You should store your Glynase tablets 5mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.