Glipizide and Metformin

Glipizide and metformin is a common medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps the pancreas produce more insulin and decreases the amount of sugar produced by the liver. The medication comes in tablet form, and is typically taken once or twice a day. Possible side effects of glipizide and metformin include nausea, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infections.

 

What Is Glipizide and Metformin?

Glipizide and metformin (Metaglip®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). It is a combination of two different diabetes medications: glipizide (Glucotrol® or Glucotrol XL®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®).
 
(Click What Is Glipizide and Metformin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Glipizide and Metformin?

Glipizide and metformin is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
 

How Does Glipizide and Metformin Work?

Glipizide and metformin is a combination of two diabetes medicines (glipizide and metformin). These two medications work differently and have different effects in the body:
 
  • Glipizide is part of a class of diabetes medications called sulfonylureas. A sulfonylurea, such as glipizide, helps the pancreas make more insulin. It also helps the cells of the body respond to insulin better. This helps to lower blood sugar and keep it under better control.
     
  • Metformin works in several ways. It decreases the amount of sugar (glucose) made by the liver. It can also decrease the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet and can make insulin receptors more sensitive, helping the body respond to its own insulin better. All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar levels.
     
Glipizide and metformin is not used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
 
(Glipizide and Metformin Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;