What is glipizide and metformin?
Glipizide and metformin is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control
blood sugar levels.
Glipizide and metformin is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin
injections. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Glipizide and metformin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glipizide and metformin?
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while
taking glipizide and metformin.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
symptoms of lactic acidosis:
weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold
feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.
You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you have congestive heart failure.
Do not use glipizide and metformin if you have congestive heart failure or kidney
disease, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with
insulin).
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take glipizide and metformin.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether glipizide and metformin passes into breast milk or if it could
harm a nursing baby. Do not take glipizide and metformin without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may have a higher risk of developing lactic acidosis. Talk with your
doctor about your individual risk.
How should I take glipizide and metformin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor
may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take glipizide and metformin with meals.
Glipizide and metformin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also
includes diet, exercise, and weight control. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the
most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not
miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Your medication needs may change if you become sick or injured, if you have a serious
infection, or if you have any type of surgery. Your doctor may want you to stop taking glipizide
and metformin for a short time if any of these situations affect you.
Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have
hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them:
-
hunger, headache, confusion, irritability;
-
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors;
-
sweating, fast heartbeat;
-
seizure (convulsions); or
-
fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).
Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of
low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have
severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give
you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.
Your doctor may have you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking glipizide and
metformin. Take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.
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. Be sure the surgeon
knows ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Store glipizide and metformin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of glipizide and metformin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food).
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next
regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed
dose.
Where can I get more information about glipizide and metformin?
Your pharmacist has information about glipizide and metformin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of glipizide and metformin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic
acidosis:
weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain,
shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.
Stop using glipizide and metformin and get emergency medical help if you have any
of these
signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of
your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
-
pain or burning with urination;
-
swelling or rapid weight gain; or
-
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision,
trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
sneezing, runny nose, cough or other signs of a cold;
-
headache;
-
dizziness;
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; or
-
joint or muscle pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about glipizide and metformin?
Do not use glipizide and metformin if you have congestive heart failure or kidney
disease, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with
insulin).
Before taking glipizide and metformin, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver
disease, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while
taking glipizide and metformin.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
symptoms of lactic acidosis:
weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold
feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting.
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. Be sure the surgeon
knows ahead of time that you are using this medication.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them,
including hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors,
sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), fainting, or coma (severe hypoglycemia can be
fatal). Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar.
What should I avoid while taking glipizide and metformin?
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking glipizide and metformin. Alcohol lowers blood
sugar and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis while you are taking this medicine.
What other drugs will affect glipizide and metformin?
You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking
glipizide and metformin with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar
include:
-
isoniazid;
-
diuretics (water pills);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
-
phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
-
thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);
-
birth control pills and other hormones;
-
seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and
-
diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.
You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if
you are taking glipizide and metformin with other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can
lower blood sugar include:
-
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
-
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
-
sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);
-
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);
-
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
-
probenecid (Benemid).
Some medications may interact with glipizide and metformin. Tell
your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
furosemide (Lasix);
-
nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac);
-
amiloride (Midamor) or triamterene (Dyrenium);
-
digoxin (Lanoxin);
-
morphine (MS Contin, Kadian, Oramorph);
-
procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl, Procanbid);
-
quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute);
-
trimethoprim (Proloprim, Primsol, Bactrim, Cotrim,
Septra);
-
vancomycin (Vancocin, Lyphocin); or
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with glipizide and metformin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of glipizide and metformin?
