What is Glipizide metformin?
Glipizide, combined with metformin, is a combination of two oral diabetes medications that helps control blood sugar levels.Metformin and Glipizide are used in conjunction with diet and physical activity to control blood sugar levels among adults with type 2 diabetes. Metformin and glipizide are not used to treat type 2 diabetes.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for glipizide or metformin.
Side effects of Glipizide metformin?
If you experience symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling to lips, face, tongue or throat - seek medical assistance immediately!
This medicine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Heart problems: swelling, rapid weight increase, feeling of shortness of breath
- Severe hypoglycemia—extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure;
- Lactic Acidosis symptoms: uncommon muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomachache and vomiting as well as irregular heart rate and dizziness resulting in dizziness or feeling cold or fatigued.
Side effects of metformin and glipizide include:
- Upset stomach, nausea, diarrhoea;
- Headache
- Cold symptoms include stuffy nose and sneezing.
There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for FDA reporting purposes contact 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
If you have severe renal disease or diabetes ketoacidosis, call your doctor to get treatment.You may have to temporarily stop taking metformin and glipizide if you are going to undergo an x-ray, CT scan, or any other type of test that uses a dye injected directly into your veins.You could develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in your blood. If you experience unusual muscle pains, difficulty breathing, stomach pains, dizziness, or feel cold or very tired, call your doctor.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to metformin or glipizide, or:
- Severe kidney disease
- Metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
You may have to temporarily stop taking metformin and glipizide if you are going to undergo an x-ray, CT scan, or any other type of test that uses a dye injected directly into your veins.
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Kidney disease
- Congestive heart failure is more likely if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) or furosemide.
- A genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- If you are over 80 years of age and your kidney function has not been checked recently,
This can lead to lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a dangerous buildup of lactic acids in the blood. You may be at greater risk if you suffer from other medical conditions, such as a severe virus or chronic alcoholism. Consult your doctor to determine your risk.If you're pregnant or will become pregnant, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to use this medicine. It is important to control diabetes during pregnancy. High blood sugar can pose health threats for both mother and infant.You may have to temporarily stop taking metformin and glipizide just before your due date.Metformin can stimulate ovulation and increase the risk of unintentional pregnancy in premenopausal women. Speak to your doctor about the risks.While taking this medication, breastfeeding must not take place.
How to take Glipizide metformin?
Read all instructions or guides that accompany your medication and follow them closely.Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose.Be certain to take your medication exactly as prescribed.Take metformin and glipizide with your meals.If you have diarrhoea, vomiting, or a temperature, call your doctor. This can cause severe dehydration, which is dangerous if you are on glipizide or metformin.Take glipizide or metformin with plenty of fluids.If you have low sugar, you may feel irritable, confused, or anxious. If you want to treat hypoglycemia quickly, consume or drink something that will provide sugar quickly (such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, or raisins).In the event of severe hypoglycemia, your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injectable kit. Make sure that your family and friends are familiar with how to administer this injection in case of an emergency.Watch for signs such as increased thirst and urination.Stress, illness, surgery, or alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or dose schedule.Glipizide is part of an overall treatment plan that can include other things like diet, exercise, and weight management, as well as blood sugar testing and medical attention. You should follow your doctor's advice.Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture to protect its integrity.You may be prescribed extra vitamin B12 by your doctor if you are taking metformin and glipizide. Only take the prescribed amount of vitamin B12 as directed by your doctor.
Details on dosage
Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:
Doses of glipizide and metformin
Patients attempting to control their glucose with diet and exercise alone:Initial dosage: 2.5 mg–250 mg orally, once per day.
Patients with fasting blood glucose between 280 and 320 mg/dL
Initial dosage: 2,5 mg–500 mg orally, twice daily
Maintaining Dose: Increase the dose by 2.5 mg to 500 mg every 2 weeks until you reach the minimal effective dose for adequate blood glucose control.
Maximum Initial Dose: 10 mg–1000 mg or 10 mg–2000 mg per day, divided into divided doses
Glipizide or another sulfonylurea and/or Metformin do not adequately control glycemia in patients, who require additional assistance in order to stay diabetic under control.Initial dose: orally, 2.5 mg–500 mg or 5 mg–500 mg twice daily.
Maintaining Dose: Add 5 mg–500 mg to the minimal effective dose for adequate blood glucose control.
Maximum Dose: 20 mg–2000 mg per day
Comments:
Give with meals. Initial doses are conservative in order to avoid hypoglycemia, mainly due to glipizide, and gastrointestinal side effects, mainly due to metformin.
For patients switching from combination therapy to glipizide or an equivalent sulfonylurea, the initial dose should not be higher than the dose of metformin and glipizide already taken daily. The decision to switch doses to the closest equivalent should be made based on clinical judgement.
Monitor patients for symptoms and signs of hypoglycemia.
Use: To improve the glycemic level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You should take your dose as soon as you can, but only when you are about to eat. Skip the dose if you miss a meal and wait until the next meal.
What happens if you overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An accidental overdose may result in life-threatening hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis.
What should be avoided?
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar levels and can increase the risk of lactic acidosis.Avoid taking colesevelam within 4 hours of taking glipizide or metformin.
Interaction with other drug
These include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies.These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not represent all potential interactions; inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking as well as those you plan to stop or start taking in order to ensure a smooth experience.
