Glipizide and Metformin

Glipizide and Metformin are combination prescription medications used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Glipizide and Metformin are available under various brand names: Metaglip

Common side effects of Glipizide and Metformin include:

• upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea;
• headache; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat.

Serious side effects of Glipizide and Metformin include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• heart problems-- swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• severe hypoglycemia--extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure; or
• lactic acidosis--unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Rare side effects of Glipizide and Metformin include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 2.5 mg/250 mg
• 2.5 mg/500 mg
• 5 mg/500 mg

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Adult dosage

• Initial treatment: start at 2.5 mg/250 mg (glipizide/metformin) orally every day with food
• If fasting plasma glucose = 280-320 mg/dL: 2.5/500 mg orally every 12 hours
• Titrate every 2 weeks to no more than 10/2000 mg per day in divided doses.
• Type 2 DM Inadequately Controlled on Sulfonylurea &/or Metformin

Adult dosage

• 2nd-line treatment: Start at 2.5/500 mg or 5/500 mg orally every 12 hours with food
• Titrate to no more than 20/2000 mg per day in divided doses

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Glipizide and Metformin have severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Glipizide and Metformin have serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • aminolevulinic acid oral
  • aminolevulinic acid topical
  • contrast media (iodinated)
  • ethanol
  • ioversol
  • ivosidenib
  • lumacaftor/ivacaftor
  • methyl aminolevulinate
  • methylene blue
• Glipizide and Metformin have moderate interactions with at least 302 other drugs.
• Glipizide and Metformin have minor interactions with at least 112 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergic reaction to Glipizide and Metformin
• severe kidney disease; or
• metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Glipizide and Metformin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Glipizide and Metformin?”

Cautions

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking Glipizide and Metformin.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Metformin may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.

If you also take colesevelam, avoid taking it within 4 hours after you take Glipizide and Metformin.

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby. However, you may need to stop taking Glipizide and Metformin for a short time just before your due date.
• Lactation
  • You should not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine.