Glipizide oral tablet: Side effects

Key takeaways

• Glipizide is a type of drug called a sulfonylurea. It can help manage blood sugar levels, so it’s prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes.
• Common mild side effects include headache, dizziness, and nausea. More serious effects include allergic reactions, liver damage, and severe low blood sugar.
• While more serious side effects are rare, contact a doctor immediately if you think you’re experiencing them. They may be a medical emergency.

Glipizide oral tablets are prescribed to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside dietary changes and increased exercise. They belong to a group of drugs called sulfonylureas.

Like any medication, glipizide may cause some side effects. Glipizide may cause mild or serious side effects, including hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), allergic reactions, and nausea.

You can explore this overview article to learn more about glipizide oral tablets, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.

Side effects of glipizide at a glance

Glipizide oral tablets may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the most commonly reported side effects of glipizide include:

• diarrhea
• tremor
• nervousness
• dizziness
• nausea
• mild or severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Most of these side effects go away on their own or can be managed at home.

Mild side effects of glipizide

Glipizide may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects that occurred in studies of glipizide include:

• diarrhea and constipation
• indigestion
• rash
• weight gain
• dizziness
• headache
• tremor
• nausea
• mild hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• mild allergic reaction

Glipizide may cause other mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the prescribing information for glipizide oral tablet and glipizide ER oral tablet.

Serious side effects of glipizide

Glipizide may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from glipizide, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with glipizide oral tablets.

Serious side effects that occurred in studies of glipizide and the glipizide ER tablet include:

• liver problems
• syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
• severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• severe allergic reaction

Managing the side effects of glipizide

Many of glipizide’s side effects can be effectively managed.

Hypoglycemia

Glipizide lowers your blood sugar. Hypoglycemia, where your blood sugar is too low, was a common side effect reported in studies of glipizide.

Low blood sugar is typically defined as less than 70 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL). However, your usual blood sugar range may be specific to your body. Talk with your doctor about what is too low for your blood sugar.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• hunger
• fast heart rate
• shakiness
• irritability
• fatigue (low energy)
• sweating
• difficulty concentrating

There are ways to help avoid hypoglycemia and manage it if it occurs, including:

• monitoring your blood sugar levels at regular times that work for your lifestyle
• avoiding skipping meals and snacks
• avoiding alcohol consumption
• asking your doctor whether any other medications you take cause low blood sugar
• talking with your doctor about ways to avoid low blood sugar levels while you sleep

If you have a low blood sugar reading on your blood glucose monitor, consider consuming some glucose via glucose tablets, a spoonful of honey, or a cup of juice. Continue to check your bloof sugar levels and consume more glucose if necessary.

Talk with your doctor about rescue medication, such as glucagon, that can be used for low blood sugar emergencies.

Very low blood sugar is a medical emergency, and it may need to be treated in a hospital. If you’re with someone unconscious from low blood sugar, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect reported in studies of glipizide, but it’s typically mild and temporary. It might go away on its own in a few days. If you have mild nausea, there are several ways to treat it. They include:

• eating a simple, bland diet
• taking an over-the-counter nausea medication, if your doctor or pharmacist says it’s appropriate for you to do so
• avoiding other things that may worsen nausea, such as unpleasant smells

If your nausea lasts for more than a few days or prevents you from eating, talk with your doctor. They may have suggestions on ways to manage it.

If nausea is difficult to manage, your doctor may prescribe a medication other than glipizide.

Common questions about side effects of glipizide

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of glipizide oral tablets. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there side effects associated with stopping glipizide?

Maybe. You could experience hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you stop taking glipizide. Keep in mind that glipizide is prescribed to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia include:

• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• frequent urination
• blurred vision
• slow wound healing
• weakness

Talk with your doctor before decreasing doses or stopping any medications. Do not stop taking glipizide unless your doctor recommends it. If a medication is causing side effects, your doctor may suggest other treatment options.

Will older adults experience different side effects of glipizide than younger adults?

No, older adults will not experience different side effects from taking glipizide. However, older adults may be at higher risk of side effects from glipizide. The term “older adults” generally refers to people ages 65 years and older.

Your body relies on your liver and kidneys to metabolize (break down and clear) glipizide. Older adults sometimes have decreased liver and kidney function, so glipizide can build up in the body.

More glipizide in the blood can lead to side effects from the drug. Due to this risk, doctors usually start by prescribing a 2.5-mg dose of glipizide for older adults. Doctors will monitor for side effects and increase the dose slowly.

If you have questions about your risk of side effects from glipizide given your age, talk with your doctor.

Can I take glipizide with metformin? If so, does taking them together cause different side effects?

Yes, glipizide and metformin are often taken together. A combination drug is available that contains both glipizide and metformin.

Some side effects of metformin and glipizide are the same, such as constipation and gas. Other side effects only happen with metformin, such as lactic acidosis. Learn more about metformin’s side effects in this article.

You may take more than one medication for diabetes. Talk with your doctor about whether a combination of drugs will work best for you.

Is weight gain or weight loss a side effect of glipizide?

Maybe. Weight gain is a possible side effect of glipizide. Dizziness, another side effect of glipizide, could make it difficult to exercise. And this could also lead to weight gain.

However, some side effects of glipizide could lead to weight loss. For example, vomiting and nausea could lead to decreased appetite and eating less.

Talk with your doctor about ways to maintain a body weight that’s healthy for you.

Does glipizide cause long-term side effects?

Sometimes. Most glipizide side effects can be managed or will resolve on their own if you stop taking the drug. However, some serious side effects of glipizide can have long-term effects.

Long-term side effects can begin during treatment or after treatment ends. They can last a long time, for a few months or even years.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a rare but serious side effect of glipizide. It can start during glipizide treatment and can require long-term treatment. However, the condition may also go away if you stop taking glipizide.

If you’d like to know more about the long-term side effects of glipizide, talk with your doctor.

Coupon for glipizide

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for glipizide when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Warnings for glipizide

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking glipizide oral tablets.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take glipizide if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug–condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether glipizide is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking glipizide, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. They might recommend an alternative or a dosage adjustment. Things to consider include those listed below.

• temporary conditions that increase blood sugar, such as fever or infection
• other medications you take, such as insulin, that may increase the effects of glipizine
• other medications you take, such as albuterol (Proair HFA), that may lower the effects of glipizine
• an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• liver or kidney problems
• bowel obstruction
• previous allergic reaction
• alcohol consumption

Also note that adults ages 65 years and older may have a higher risk of side effects with glipizide. This is usually because of decreased liver and kidney function. If you’re an older adult, talk with your doctor about having tests to check your liver and kidney function before starting glipizide.

Glipizide and pregnancy

According to some reports, side effects in newborns are possible when sulfonylurea drugs are taken during pregnancy. Glipizide is a sulfonylurea. These side effects in newborns included difficulty breathing and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

However, having blood sugar that isn’t well managed during pregnancy can also cause harm to a pregnant person and a fetus. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy or if you become pregnant during treatment

There is insufficient information to recommend glipizide’s safety during breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the risk of possible side effects of glipizide.

Talk with your doctor if you’re planning to breastfeed. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking glipizide while breastfeeding.

Summary

Like any medication, glipizide may cause some side effects that can be mild or serious. Most common side effects are temporary and can be managed at home. However, if you’re experiencing severe side effects, speak with your doctor.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.