getting low blood sugar or high blood sugar. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take the medicines miconazole or fluconazole, used to fight fungus infections.
have ever had a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis
have kidney or liver problems
have had blockage or narrowing of your intestines due to illness or past surgery
have chronic (continuing) diarrhea
are pregnant or might be pregnant. Your healthcare provider may switch you to insulin injections some time during your pregnancy. You should not take GLUCOTROL XL during the last month of pregnancy.
are breast-feeding. GLUCOTROL XL may pass to the baby through your milk and cause harm.
have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. This condition usually runs in families. People with G6PD deficiency who take GLUCOTROL XL may develop hemolytic anemia (fast breakdown of red blood cells).
How Should I Take GLUCOTROL XL?
GLUCOTROL XL tablets come in three different strengths (2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg). Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dose that is right for you.
Take GLUCOTROL XL once a day with breakfast. The tablet is designed to release the medicine slowly over 24 hours. This is why you have to take it only once a day.
Swallow the tablet whole. Never chew, crush or cut the tablet in half. This would damage the tablet and release too much medicine into your body at one time.
After all of the medicine has been released, the empty tablet shell will pass out of the body normally in a bowel movement. Do not be concerned if you see the empty tablet shell in your stool (bowel movement).
It is important to take GLUCOTROL XL every day to help keep your blood sugar level under good control. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose depending on your blood glucose test results. If your blood sugar level is not under control, call your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose without your healthcare provider's approval.
In case of overdose, call the poison control center or your healthcare provider right away, or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room.
You must continue your diet and exercise program while taking GLUCOTROL XL. You must also have your blood and urine tested regularly to be sure GLUCOTROL XL is working.
GLUCOTROL XL may not work for everyone. If it does work, you may find that GLUCOTROL XL is not working as well for you after you have used it for a while. Tell your healthcare provider if GLUCOTROL XL is not working well.
What Should I Avoid While Taking GLUCOTROL XL?
Some medicines can affect how well GLUCOTROL XL works or may affect your blood sugar level. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start or stop taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including natural/herbal remedies, while on GLUCOTROL XL.
What are the Possible Side Effects of GLUCOTROL XL?
Low blood sugar. GLUCOTROL XL may lower your blood sugar to low levels that are dangerous (hypoglycemia). This can happen if you do not follow your diet, exercise too much, drink alcohol, are under stress, or get sick. This could also happen if your dose of GLUCOTROL XL is higher than you need. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust it. Do not adjust the dose on your own.
Be sure you know how to recognize your body's signs that your blood sugar is too low. These signs include:
a cold clammy feeling
unusual sweating
dizziness
weakness
trembling
shakiness
hunger
fast heartbeat
headache
