Posology : מינונים

4.2 Posology and method of administration

PosologyAs for any hypoglycaemic agent, dosage must be adapted for each individual case.
Short term administration of glipizide may be sufficient during periods of transient loss of control in patients usually controlled well on diet.
In general, glipizide should be given shortly before a meal to achieve the greatest reduction in post-prandial hyperglycaemia.
Initial Dose
The recommended starting dose is 5 mg, given before breakfast or the midday meal. Mild diabetics, geriatric patients or those with liver disease may be started on 2.5 mg.
Titration
Dosage adjustments should ordinarily be in increments of 2.5 to 5 mg, as determined by blood glucose response. At least several days should elapse between titration steps. The maximum recommended single dose is 15 mg. If this is not sufficient, splitting the daily dosage may prove effective. Doses above 15 mg should ordinarily be divided.
Maintenance
Some patients may be effectively controlled on a once-a-day regimen. Total daily dosage above 15 mg should ordinarily be divided.
The maximum recommended daily dosage is 20 mg.
Paediatric population
Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Use in Elderly and High Risk Patients
In elderly, debilitated and malnourished patients or patients with an impaired renal or hepatic function, the initial and maintenance dosing should be conservative to avoid hypoglycaemic reactions (see Initial Dose section 4.4).
Patients Receiving Other Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents
As with other sulphonylurea class hypoglycaemics, no transition period is necessary when transferring patients to glipizide. Patients should be observed carefully (1-2 weeks) for hypoglycaemia when being transferred from longer half- life sulphonylureas (e.g. chlorpropamide) to glipizide due to potential overlapping of drug effect.

Method of administration
For oral use only.