What should I watch for?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.
A test called the HbA1C (A1C) will be monitored. This is a simple blood test. It measures your blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months. You will receive this test every 3 to 6 months.
Learn how to check your blood sugar. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.
Always carry a quick-source of sugar with you in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Examples include hard sugar candy or glucose tablets. Make sure others know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.
Tell your doctor or health care professional if you have high blood sugar. You might need to change the dose of your medicine. If you are sick or exercising more than usual, you might need to change the dose of your medicine.
Do not skip meals. Ask your doctor or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. Many nonprescription cough and cold products contain sugar or alcohol. These can affect blood sugar.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.
Common and Rare Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
shortness of breath
skin rash
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
agitation
back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating of abdomen
blood in the urine or stools
bloody, black, or tarry stools
chills
coma
confusion
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
decreased urine output
difficulty with breathing
fever with or without chills
fluid-filled skin blisters
general body swelling
general tiredness and weakness
headache
high fever
hostility
irritability
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
lethargy
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle twitching
nosebleeds
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
red, irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
seizures
sensitivity to the sun
skin thinness
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stupor
swelling of face, ankles, or hands
swollen or painful glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Lack or loss of strength
Incidence not known
Redness or other discoloration of the skin
severe sunburn
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
