Minodiab

What is it?

An antidiabetic and sulphonylurea, available as scored, white tablets in 2 strengths containing 2.5mg and 5mg of glipizide.

Medical Uses

Type 2 diabetes.

Dosage

Adults, 2.5mg or 5mg each day at first, taken up to half an hour before breakfast or lunch, increasing by 2.5-5mg every week to a maximum of 20mg daily. Doses higher than 15mg each day should be divided.

Special Care

Kidney failure, the elderly.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, juvenile, growth-onset or unstable brittle diabetes (all forms of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), severe liver or kidney disease, ketoacidosis, stress, infections, surgery, endocrine disorders.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Risk of hypoglycaemia with: sulfonamides, fibrates, fluconazole, aspirin, alcohol, chlorgmphenicol, MAOIs, NSAIDs, miconazole, oral anticoagulants, β-blockers, ACE inhibitors, probenecid, phenylbutazone, cimetidine. Risk of hyperglycaemia with: diuretics, progestogens, oestrogens, contraceptive pills, phenothiazines, derivatives of nicotinic acid, thyroid hormones, phenytoin, danazol, sympathomimetics, calcium antagonists, corticosteroids, isoniazid.

Known Side Effects

Allergic reactions including skin rash, hypoglycaemia, disturbance of vision, liver disorders, gastrointestinal effects, headache, abdominal pains, malaise, blood effects, trembling, dizziness, raised liver enzymes, confusion, drowsiness.

Manufacturer

Pharmacia.