Glipizide (Rx)

Glipizide Brand name: Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, Minodiab

Dea Class: Rx (Prescription drug)

Drug Class: Antidiabetics, Sulfonylureas

Dosage form: Tablet 5mg, 10mg, Tablet, extended-release 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg

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Table Of Contents

Glipizide (Rx)

What is Glipizide and how does it work?

Glipizide is second-generation sulfonylurea; shorter duration of action than glyburide; no active metabolites

Used primarily in adults for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as add-on therapy to metformin or other agents

Glipizide is preferred over glyburide for use in the older people and in patients with renal dysfunction.

What are Glipizide uses?

Glipizide is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control.

How should I take Glipizide?

Glipizide comes as tablets and extended-release (long-acting) tablets to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken one or more times a day, 30 minutes before breakfast or meals. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day with breakfast. Take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take it exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of glipizide and gradually increase your dose if needed. After you have taken this medicine for some time, glipizide may not control your blood sugar as well as it did at the beginning of your treatment. Your doctor may adjust the dose of your medication as needed so that the medication will work best for you. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling and if your blood sugar test results have been higher or lower than normal at any time during your treatment.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the tablets.

Glipizide helps control blood sugar but does not cure diabetes. Continue to take glipizide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Glipizide Side Effects

The common side effects don’t need medical attention and will disappear as your body adjusts to the dosage. But if you are facing any serious or rare side effects, then immediately seek medical attention.

Dermatologic reactions
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Syncope
Constipation
Flatulence
Dizziness
Nervousness
Headache
Anxiety
Depression
Drowsiness
Erythema
Heartburn
Maculopapular eruptions
Hypoglycemia
Morbilliform eruptions
Nausea/vomiting
Urticaria
Cholestatic jaundice and hepatitis occur rarely but may progress to liver failure

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Glipizide?

Warnings

Patients with risk of severe hypoglycemia include the older people, debilitated, or malnourished; adrenal or pituitary insufficiency; stress due to infection, fever, trauma, or surgery; concomitant use with beta-blockers or other sympatholytic agents may impair the patient’s ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia; use with caution

If patient is exposed to stress (fever, trauma, infection, surgery), it may be necessary to discontinue glipizide and initiate insulin

Use caution in hepatic/renal impairment

Use with caution in pregnancy and lactation

Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality suggested by product labeling but data is limited

FDA-approved product labeling for many medications have included a broad contraindication in patients with a prior allregic reaction to sulfonamides; however, recent studies have suggested that crossreactivity between antibiotic sulfonamides and nonantibiotic sulfonamides is unlikely to occur; increase in cardiovascular mortality suggested by product labeling but data is limited

Hypoglycemia is more likely to occur when caloric intake is deficient, after severe or prolonged exercise, when alcohol is ingested, or when more than one glucose-lowering drug is used

Hypoglycemia may be difficult to recognize in patients with autonomic neuropathy

Hemolytic anemia may occur with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency when treated with sulfonylurea agents; consider a nonsulfonylurea alternative

Avoid using the extended-release tablets in patients with severe gastrointestinal narrowing of esophageal dysmotility

Clinical studies have not found conclusive evidence that anti-diabetic drugs reduce macrovascular risk

Loss of efficacy following prolonged use possible; if no contributing factors, to explain loss of efficacy identified, consider discontinuing therapy; additional antidiabetic therapy will be required

Before taking Glipizide, Cautions

Hypersensitivity; sulfa allergy

Type 1 diabetes

Diabetic ketoacidosis with or without coma

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

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

Lactation

Breastfed infants of lactating women on therapy should be monitored for symptoms of hypoglycemia; although glipizide was undetectable in human milk in one small clinical lactation study

What Are Dosages of Glipizide?

Dosage Forms & Strengths

Glipizide Tablet 5mg, 10mg, Tablet, extended-release 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg

Adults

20 mg/day PO for extended-release tablets (e.g., Glucotrol XL); 40 mg/day PO for regular-release glipizide tablets (e.g., Glucotrol).

Geriatric

20 mg/day PO for extended-release tablets (e.g., Glucotrol XL); 40 mg/day PO for regular-release glipizide tablets (e.g., Glucotrol).

Adolescents

Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Children

Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Infants

Not indicated.

Glipizide brand name

Glucotrol; Tablet 5mg, 10mg

Glucotrol XL; Tablet, extended-release 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg

Brand names of Glipizide combination products

Metaglip^® (containing Glipizide, Metformin)

Glipizide