Uses

What is glipizide used for?

Glipizide is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Glipizide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does glipizide work (mechanism of action)?

Glipizide helps to increase your body’s insulin levels. Insulin is released from your pancreas. It is a hormone that helps your body use blood sugar (glucose) as a source of energy.

How is glipizide supplied (dosage forms)?

Glipizide is available as Glucotrol XL and generic glipizide in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

  • 2.5 mg extended-release oral tablets
  • 5 mg extended-release oral tablets
  • 10 mg extended-release oral tablets
  • 2.5 mg oral tablets
  • 5 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg oral tablets

How should I store glipizide?

Glipizide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of glipizide?

The most common side effects of glipizide are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of glipizide that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of glipizide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of glipizide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Glipizide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking glipizide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Glipizide can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not take glipizide and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use glipizide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take glipizide.

  • Glipizide
  • Glucotrol
  • Glucotrol XL
  • Any other medicine containing glipizide
  • Any other medicine known as a sulfonamide 
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific glipizide products they stock.

Type 1 Diabetes. Glipizide is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Glipizide is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

What should I know about glipizide before using it?

Do not take glipizide unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share glipizide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep glipizide out of the reach of children.

If you take glipizide extended-release tablets, you may sometimes notice something in your stool (poop) that looks like the tablet. This is normal and should not cause concern.

Do not chew, cut, or crush glipizide extended-release tablets, they should be swallowed whole.

Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.

Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.     

People who are 65 years or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from glipizide. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Glipizide can affect your alertness or coordination, especially if your blood sugar drops too low. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how glipizide affects you.

Take glipizide tablets 30 minutes before breakfast (or your first meal of the day). Take extended-release glipizide tablets with breakfast (or your first meal of the day). 

Glipizide can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using glipizide?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if glipizide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Glimepiride may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using glimepiride, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how glipizide could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take glipizide while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if glipizide passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take glipizide while breastfeeding. 

Interactions

Does glipizide interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between glipizide and foods or most drinks. However, your risk of low blood sugar may be increased if you take glipizide without eating or if you drink alcohol while taking glipizide.

Does glipizide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking glipizide.

  • Some medicines used for fungal infections, such as fluconazole (Diflucan) and miconazole (Oravig)
  • Colesevelam (Welchol), a medicine used for high cholesterol

Many other medicines can increase your blood sugar and can interfere with the effect of glipizide. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while taking glipizide. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely during these times.

Some medicines can decrease your blood sugar, adding to the effect of glipizide. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while taking glipizide. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely or lower your dose of glipizide during these times.

Some medicines may make it difficult to notice signs of low blood sugar. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely if you take any of these medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with glipizide. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Glipizide (Glucotrol) interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much glipizide?

If you or someone else has taken too much glipizide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of glipizide?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember with food (glipizide extended-release tablets) or 30 minutes before eating (glipizide tablets). If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Glipizide needs to be taken with food or before eating to reduce your risk of low blood sugar. 

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