U.S. flag An official website of the United States government
  1. Home
  2. Drug Databases
  3. Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes

Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

Get Email Alerts | Guide

GLUCOTROL XL (NDA-020329)

(GLIPIZIDE)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

Download Data

Expand all

08/10/2018 (SUPPL-32)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1. Pregnancy

(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) Conversion; additions and/or revisions are underlined)

Risk Summary


Available data from a small number of published studies and postmarketing experience with GLUCOTROL XL use in pregnancy over decades have not identified any drug associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal outcomes.

However, sulfonylureas (including glipizide) cross the placenta and have been associated with neonatal adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia. Therefore, GLUCOTROL XL should be discontinued at least two weeks before expected delivery. Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy is also associated with risks to the mother and fetus (see Clinical Considerations). In animal studies, there were no effects on embryofetal development following administration of glipizide to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 833 times and 8 times the human dose based on body surface area, respectively. However, increased pup mortality was observed in rats administered glipizide from gestation day 15 throughout lactation at doses 2 times the maximum human dose based on body surface area.


The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6-10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with a HbA1c >7 and has been reported to be as high as 20-25% in women with HbA1c >10. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.


Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk

Poorly-controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia related morbidity.


Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions

Neonates of women with gestational diabetes who are treated with sulfonylureas during pregnancy may be at increased risk for neonatal intensive care admission and may develop respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, birth injury, and be large for gestational age. Prolonged severe hypoglycemia, lasting 4-10 days, has been reported in neonates born to mothers receiving a sulfonylurea at the time of delivery and has been reported with the use of agents with a prolonged half-life. Observe newborns for symptoms of hypoglycemia and respiratory distress and manage accordingly.

 

Dose adjustments during pregnancy and the postpartum period

Due to reports of prolonged severe hypoglycemia in neonates born to mothers receiving a sulfonylurea at the time of delivery, GLUCOTROL XL should be discontinued at least two weeks before expected delivery.

 

Data

Animal Data

In teratology studies in rats and rabbits, pregnant animals received daily oral doses of glipizide during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 2000 mg/kg/day and 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 833 and 8 times the human dose based on body surface area), respectively. There were no adverse effects on embryo-fetal development at any of the doses tested. In a peri- and postnatal study in pregnant rats, there was a reduced number of pups born alive following administration of glipizide from gestation day 15 throughout lactation through weaning at doses greater than or equal to 5 mg/kg/day (about 2 times the recommended maximum human dose based on body surface area).

8.2 Lactation

(Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) Conversion; newly added subsection)

 

Risk Summary

Breastfed infants of lactating women using GLUCOTROL XL should be monitored for symptoms of hypoglycemia (see Clinical Considerations). Although glipizide was undetectable in human milk in one small clinical lactation study; this result is not conclusive because of the limitations of the assay used in the study. There are no data on the effects of glipizide on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for GLUCOTROL XL and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from GLUCOTROL XL or from the underlying maternal condition.

 

Clinical Considerations

Monitoring for adverse reactions

Monitor breastfed infants for signs of hypoglycemia (e.g., jitters, cyanosis, apnea, hypothermia, excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, seizures).

 

17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

 

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

 

Inform patients of the potential adverse reactions of GLUCOTROL XL including hypoglycemia. Explain the risks of hypoglycemia, its symptoms and treatment, and conditions that predispose to its development to patients and responsible family members. Also inform patients about the importance of adhering to dietary instructions, of a regular exercise program, and of regular testing of glycemic control.

 

Inform patients that GLUCOTROL XL should be swallowed whole. Inform patients that they should not chew, divide or crush tablets and they may occasionally notice in their stool something that looks like a tablet. In the GLUCOTROL XL tablet, the medication is contained within a non-dissolvable shell that has been specially designed to slowly release the drug so the body can absorb it.

 

Pregnancy

Advise females of reproductive potential to inform their prescriber of a known or suspected pregnancy.

 

Lactation

Advise breastfeeding women taking GLUCOTROL XL to monitor breastfed infants for signs of hypoglycemia (e.g., jitters, cyanosis, hypothermia, excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, seizures).

 

PATIENT INFORMATION

(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)

 

What should I tell my doctor before taking GLUCOTROL XL?

 

Before you take GLUCOTROL XL, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • Have ever had a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis

  • Have kidney or liver problems

  • Have had a blockage or narrowing of your intestines due to illness or past surgery

  • Have chronic (continuing) diarrhea

  • 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).

  • Are pregnant or might be pregnant. It is not known if GLUCOTROL XL will harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar while you are pregnant. You should not take GLUCOTROL XL during the last two weeks of pregnancy.

Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if GLUCOTROL XL passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide the best way to feed your baby during treatment with GLUCOTROL XL

08/16/2017 (SUPPL-30)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

7 Drug Interactions

7.1 Drugs Affecting Glucose Metabolism

(Newly added subsection)

A number of medications affect glucose metabolism and may require GLUCOTROL XL dose adjustment and close monitoring for hypoglycemia or worsening glycemic control.

The following are examples of medication that may increase the glucose lowering effect of GLUCOTROL XL, increase the susceptibility to and/or intensity of hypoglycemia: antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, propoxyphene, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, chloramphenicol, probenecid, coumarins, voriconazole, H2 receptor antagonists, and quinolones. When these medications are administered to a patient receiving GLUCOTROL XL, monitor the patient closely for hypoglycemia. When these medications are discontinued from a patient receiving GLUCOTROL XL, monitor the patient closely for worsening glycemic control.

The following are examples of medication that may reduce the glucose-lowering effect of GLUCOTROL XL, leading to worsening glycemic control: atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), thyroid hormones, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, and calcium channel blocking drugs. When such drugs are administered to patients receiving GLUCOTROL XL, monitor the patients closely for worsening glycemic control. When these medications are discontinued from patients receiving GLUCOTROL XL, monitor the patient closely for hypoglycemia.

Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and reserpine may lead to either potentiation or weakening of the glucose-lowering effect. Increased frequency of monitoring may be required when GLUCOTROL XL is co-administered with these drugs.

The signs of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent in patients taking sympatholytic drugs such as beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine. Increased frequency of monitoring may be required when GLUCOTROL XL is co-administered with these drugs.