Glipizide ER, Glipizide IR, Glipizide XL

Introduction

Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on September 21, 2023

Glipizide (GLIP i zide) is a generic medication prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Glipizide belongs to a group of diabetes drugs called sulfonylureas.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of glipizide. To find coupons for glipizide extended-release* oral tablet, see this article or this article.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.

Side effects of glipizide

Glipizide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of glipizide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about glipizide’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for glipizide listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of glipizide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of glipizide you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about glipizide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for glipizide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Glipizide oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• nausea
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

Glipizide extended-release† oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• diarrhea
• nervousness
• shakiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about these side effects, see the “Interactions and warnings for glipizide” section.
† “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of glipizide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of glipizide you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about glipizide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for glipizide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, glipizide’s serious side effects include:

• dangerously low blood sugar
• liver problems
• low level of certain blood cells
• syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone*
• higher risk of death due to heart problems
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see the “Common questions about glipizide” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for glipizide” section.

Common questions about glipizide

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about glipizide.

What brand names are available for glipizide?

Glipizide oral tablet is only available as a generic medication. There are no brand-name versions available at this time. Glipizide extended-release* oral tablet is available as a brand-name medication called Glucotrol XL.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.

Is it safe to take glipizide with metformin?

Yes, glipizide and metformin can be taken together. There’s a combination medication called Metaglip that contains both glipizide and metformin.

Glipizide and metformin work differently to help manage type 2 diabetes. Also, each drug has its own risks. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about whether this combination of medications is right for you.

Do I need to eat right after taking glipizide?

Yes, if you’re taking glipizide oral tablet, you should eat within 30 minutes after you take a dose. Glipizide extended-release* tablets should be taken with breakfast or your first main meal of the day.

If you don’t eat after taking glipizide, your blood sugar may drop too low, which can lead to low blood sugar. You may have symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, or dizziness. In some cases, this condition can become serious and life threatening.

Only take glipizide if you plan to eat a meal. If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.

Can glipizide cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases glipizide may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug. These side effects may differ based on the form of glipizide you take.

One example of a long-term side effect of glipizide is the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. With this condition, your brain releases excessive amounts of antidiuretic hormone, causing your body to hold more fluid than usual.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about long-term side effects and how to best manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of glipizide may last.

How does glipizide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Glipizide works by helping your pancreas release more insulin. Insulin is a hormone that signals your body to move sugar from your blood into your cells. This helps lower your blood sugar level.

Glipizide oral tablet starts lowering your blood sugar within 30 minutes after you take a dose. Glipizide extended-release* oral tablet starts lowering your blood sugar within 2–3 hours after you take a dose.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.

Uses of glipizide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as glipizide for certain conditions. The approved use for glipizide is described below.

Use for lowering blood sugar

Doctors may prescribe a glipizide oral tablet or extended-release* oral tablet for treating type 2 diabetes. The drug is used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With type 2 diabetes, there’s a buildup of sugar in your blood. Usually, your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin that signals your body to move sugar from your blood into your cells. But with type 2 diabetes, your body may not respond to insulin as well, or your body might not make enough insulin. This causes the sugar to stay in your bloodstream, which leads to high blood sugar levels. Glipizide helps your body release more insulin, which helps lower your blood sugar.

Both glipizide oral tablet and glipizide extended-release oral tablet are prescribed together with diet and exercise for type 2 diabetes.

Doctors may not prescribe glipizide oral tablet or glipizide extended-release oral tablet in certain situations, such as for treating type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time after it’s taken.

Interactions and warnings for glipizide

Below, you’ll find information about glipizide’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of glipizide

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take glipizide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for glipizide” section below.

Warnings for glipizide

Some people should not take glipizide, and others should take it cautiously.

Glipizide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether glipizide is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of glipizide you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for glipizide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Glipizide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to glipizide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe glipizide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to glipizide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of glipizide

You should not take more glipizide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much glipizide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and glipizide

Information about glipizide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Glipizide and pregnancy
There are risks to taking glipizide during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having unmanaged type 2 diabetes while pregnant. (Keep in mind that glipizide is prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about type 2 diabetes treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take glipizide during pregnancy.

Glipizide and breastfeeding
There are risks to taking glipizide while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having unmanaged type 2 diabetes during this time. (Keep in mind that glipizide is prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes.)

For instance, glipizide may cause problems with feeding and may cause seizures in a breastfed child.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about type 2 diabetes treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take glipizide during this time. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about glipizide or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How often should I monitor my blood sugar levels while taking glipizide?
• What should I do if I forget to eat after taking glipizide?
• Are there any drug interactions that I should avoid while taking glipizide?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects from glipizide than other people?
• Are there any alternative medications that you could prescribe for type 2 diabetes?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Glipizide tablet, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4afa67b2-7f86-4189-93a5-6a605f74540d/spl-doc
• Glipizide tablets, USP 5mg and 10mg. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/376ce3cf-4e1b-4b5f-b3e7-cc9fc4a5aeb4/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.