Usual Adult Dose of Glucotrol for Diabetes Type 2:
Immediate release:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day, 30 minutes before breakfast
Maintenance dose: Up to 40 mg in divided doses 30 minutes before a meal of adequate caloric content. Doses may be increased in intervals of 2.5 to 5 mg a day according to blood glucose response.
Maximum single dose: 15 mg
Maximum daily dose: 40 mg
Comments:
-At least several days should elapse between titration steps.
-If response to a single dose is not satisfactory, dividing that dose may prove effective.
Extended Release:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day, 30 minutes before breakfast
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum daily dose: 20 mg
Patients receiving immediate release may be switched safely to extended release tablets once-a-day at the nearest equivalent total daily dose, or titrate to the appropriate extended release dose starting with 5 mg once daily.
Combination use:
-When adding other blood-glucose-lowering agents to the extended release tablets, the agent should be initiated at the lowest recommended dose. Observe for hypoglycemia.
-When adding extended release tablets to other blood-glucose-lowering agents, Glucotrol XL extended release can be initiated at 5 mg. Start at a lower dose in patients that are more sensitive to hypoglycemia.
When transferring patients from insulin to glipizide, the following general guidelines should be considered:
-For patients with daily insulin doses of 20 units or less: Discontinue insulin and begin glipizide at usual dosages.
-For patients with daily insulin doses greater than 20 units: Insulin dose should be reduced by 50% and glipizide therapy may begin at usual dosages.
Comments:
-Several days should elapse between titration steps.
-Subsequent reductions in insulin dosage should depend on individual patient response.
-During the insulin withdrawal period, the patient should test urine samples for sugar and ketone bodies at least three times daily.
-Some patients receiving greater than 40 units of insulin daily may need to consider hospitalization during the transition period.
Patients Receiving Other Oral Hypoglycemic Agents:
-When transferring from longer half-life sulfonylureas: Observe for 1 to 2 weeks for hypoglycemia.
-Glucotrol XL extended release coadministered with colesevelam: Glipizide should be administered at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam.
Use: Adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Usual Geriatric Dose of Glucotrol for Diabetes Type 2:
Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day 30 minutes before breakfast
Comments:
-Maintenance dosing should be conservative to avoid hypoglycemic reactions.
-Doses can be adjusted with caution taking into account the degree of hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and the concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Use: Adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
 Detailed Glucotrol dosage information
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take your dose as soon as you can, but only if you are getting ready to eat a meal. If you skip a meal, skip the missed dose and wait until your next meal. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A glipizide overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).
