Glipizide

Pronunciation: GLIP-i-zide.

Generic name
glipizide
Drug class
Second-generation sulfonylurea (oral hypoglycemic agent)
Form
Tablet, immediate-release (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg depending on market) and extended-release (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg) forms
Route
Oral
Legal status
Prescription-only. Authorised and marketed in the United States (Glucotrol/Glucotrol XL), United Kingdom (Minodiab), European Union (Ozidia in France, Minidiab in Italy, Minodiab in Spain, Glucotrol XL in Slovakia, Glipizide BP Galena in Poland), Australia (Minidiab, Glipidiab), and New Zealand (Minidiab). Canada could not be confirmed against a primary regulator source this session -- disclosed as unable to verify.

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States

Australia: · Full directory

What glipizide is and how it works

Glipizide is a sulfonylurea, a type of oral medicine that lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. It is used alongside diet and exercise, not as a replacement for them. (1) (5)

Glipizide is a well-established, widely used sulfonylurea. Its most important everyday risk is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), so understanding its symptoms and how to respond is an important part of taking this medicine safely. The current US label also carries an older, class-wide cardiovascular caution based on a historical study of a different sulfonylurea, discussed below alongside more recent, more reassuring safety data comparing sulfonylureas directly.

Mechanism of action: how glipizide works

Glipizide is a second-generation sulfonylurea. Its primary mode of action is stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, dependent on functioning beta-cell tissue; it appears to lower blood glucose acutely by stimulating insulin release, though the mechanism during long-term administration is not fully established. Extrapancreatic effects may also contribute. (1)

What glipizide is used for

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes, when diet, weight management, and exercise alone have not achieved adequate control. (1) (4)

Before taking glipizide

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not take glipizide if you have a known hypersensitivity to it, other sulfonylureas, or sulphonamide medicines. (all countries) (1) (4)
  • Do not take glipizide if you have type 1 diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis (with or without coma) -- these require insulin, not a sulfonylurea. (all countries) (1) (4)
  • Do not take glipizide if you have severe kidney or liver impairment. (New Zealand) (4)
  • Do not take glipizide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (New Zealand (explicit contraindication; the current US label instead uses Pregnancy Category C -- discuss which framing applies to you with your clinician)) (4)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any history of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency -- sulfonylureas including glipizide can trigger haemolytic anaemia in G6PD-deficient patients.
  • Any history of adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, or impaired kidney or liver function -- these increase the risk of prolonged or severe hypoglycemia.
  • Whether you are elderly, debilitated, or malnourished, as you may be more susceptible to hypoglycemia and dosing should start conservatively.
  • All other medicines, especially other glucose-lowering drugs, beta-blockers (which can mask hypoglycemia symptoms), and any medicine known to increase or decrease blood sugar.
  • Whether you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1) (4)

How to take glipizide

  • Taken by mouth, generally about 15-30 minutes before a meal (commonly before breakfast) to achieve the greatest reduction in after-meal blood sugar.
  • Follow your clinician's individualised dosing schedule -- there is no single fixed dose for everyone; your dose is adjusted based on your blood glucose response.
  • Do not change your dose on your own -- dosage adjustments should be made by your clinician, usually in small increments spaced several days to a week apart.
(1) (4)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, do not double your next dose. Contact your clinician or pharmacist for guidance specific to your regimen, since timing relative to meals matters for this medicine.

Overdose

Overdose can cause hypoglycemia. Mild symptoms without loss of consciousness or neurological findings should be treated promptly with oral glucose/sugar and by contacting your clinician for guidance on adjusting your regimen. Severe hypoglycemic reactions with coma, seizure, or other neurological impairment are medical emergencies requiring immediate hospitalisation -- call emergency services. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Nausea and diarrhoea (about 1 in 70 patients).

What to notice: Nausea and diarrhoea (about 1 in 70 patients).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Constipation and stomach discomfort (about 1 in 100 patients).

What to notice: Constipation and stomach discomfort (about 1 in 100 patients).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Allergic skin reactions such as redness, rash, or itching (about 1 in 70 patients).

What to notice: Allergic skin reactions such as redness, rash, or itching (about 1 in 70 patients).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Dizziness, drowsiness, and headache (about 1 in 50 patients).

What to notice: Dizziness, drowsiness, and headache (about 1 in 50 patients).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) -- the most important common effect; see Serious Warnings.

What to notice: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) -- the most important common effect; see Serious Warnings.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (4)

Serious warnings

Signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) — high caution

Symptoms: Shakiness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, hunger, confusion, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or -- if severe -- loss of consciousness or seizure.

Action: Treat mild symptoms promptly with a fast-acting source of sugar and contact your clinician about your regimen. Severe hypoglycemia with confusion, seizure, or loss of consciousness is a medical emergency -- seek emergency help immediately. Elderly patients, those with kidney or liver impairment, and those taking beta-blockers may have symptoms that are harder to recognise. (1) (4)

Signs of haemolytic anaemia in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency — high caution

Symptoms: Unusual paleness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness, or breathlessness.

Action: Contact your clinician promptly. Sulfonylureas including glipizide can trigger haemolytic anaemia in G6PD-deficient patients (and, rarely, in patients without known G6PD deficiency); your clinician may consider a non-sulfonylurea alternative if this occurs. (1) (4)

Older, class-wide cardiovascular mortality caution (not a boxed warning) — labelled caution

Symptoms: Not a symptom-based warning -- a labelling caution based on historical study data.

Action: The current US label carries a WARNINGS-section special warning, based on a historical 1970s study (UGDP) of a different, older sulfonylurea (tolbutamide, not glipizide itself), noting a possible class-wide increase in cardiovascular mortality versus diet alone. This is disclosed here for completeness, but it should be considered alongside more recent, more specific safety data: a 2016 New Zealand regulatory (Medsafe/MARC) review found glipizide is associated with LOWER cardiovascular and hypoglycaemia risk than another sulfonylurea, glibenclamide, and positions glipizide as one of the 'preferred sulfonylureas' on current safety grounds. Discuss your individual cardiovascular risk factors with your clinician. (1) (5)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)

Interactions

  • The blood-sugar-lowering effect of glipizide can be increased by certain drugs including NSAIDs, some azole antifungals (e.g. fluconazole), salicylates, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, probenecid, coumarin anticoagulants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and beta-adrenergic blocking agents -- close monitoring for hypoglycemia is needed when these are started or stopped. (1)
  • Certain drugs can raise blood sugar and reduce glipizide's effectiveness, including thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blockers, and isoniazid. (1)
  • Colesevelam (a cholesterol-lowering resin) reduces glipizide absorption -- take glipizide at least 4 hours before colesevelam. (1)
  • Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs can also mask the warning symptoms of hypoglycemia. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

A genuine difference exists between markets reviewed: the current US label uses Pregnancy Category C (mildly fetotoxic in animal studies; used only if potential benefit justifies potential risk, and generally discontinued at least one month before expected delivery, since prolonged severe neonatal hypoglycemia has been reported in infants of mothers on a sulfonylurea at delivery), whereas the New Zealand data sheet lists pregnancy as an explicit contraindication. Discuss with your clinician which framing applies to your care and location. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Breastfeeding

Similarly, the New Zealand label contraindicates use during lactation, while the US label notes it is not known whether glipizide passes into human milk in significant amounts, though other sulfonylureas do, and advises a decision on continuing nursing versus continuing the drug. Discuss with your clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Elderly

Initial and maintenance dosing should be conservative in elderly, debilitated, or malnourished patients to avoid hypoglycemic reactions; hypoglycemia may also be harder to recognise in older adults. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Hepatic_impairment

Metabolism and excretion may be slowed in patients with impaired hepatic function; if hypoglycemia occurs, it may be prolonged, and dosing should start conservatively (e.g. 2.5 mg initial dose per the US label). (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Renal_impairment

Renal insufficiency can cause elevated blood levels of glipizide and increase hypoglycemia risk; the New Zealand label contraindicates use in severe renal insufficiency, and US guidance advises conservative dosing in renal impairment. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Confirm type 2 (not type 1) diabetes diagnosis
  • Baseline kidney and liver function
  • Review for G6PD deficiency history
  • Review all other medicines for interaction risk

During treatment

  • Regular blood and urine glucose monitoring to determine the minimum effective dose and detect primary or secondary failure of the medicine.
  • Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement periodically to assess overall control.
  • Watch for and promptly report symptoms of hypoglycemia, and for any signs of unusual paleness, jaundice, or tiredness that could suggest haemolytic anaemia.
(1)

Storage

Store below 30°C (86°F), in the original packaging, out of reach of children.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA Glucotrol label plus UK/EU/Australia/New Zealand regulator sources reviewed; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Dose summary: Initial 5 mg (2.5 mg geriatric/hepatic impairment) once daily before breakfast; titrate in 2.5-5 mg increments; maximum single dose 15 mg; maximum total daily dose 40 mg; doses above 15 mg divided before meals.

Renal context: Conservative initial/maintenance dosing in renal impairment; hypoglycemia may be prolonged if it occurs. (1)

New Zealand

Indication: Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Dose summary: Usual range 2.5-30 mg daily, maximum 40 mg daily; initial 2.5-5 mg daily; adjust in 2.5-5 mg steps at weekly intervals; maximum single dose 15 mg.

Renal context: Contraindicated in severe renal insufficiency per the New Zealand data sheet. (4)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Hepatic metabolism is extensive; impaired hepatic function may slow metabolism and excretion, prolonging hypoglycemia if it occurs -- conservative dosing is advised.

Overdose note

No specific antidote; manage hypoglycemia with oral glucose for mild cases, and intravenous concentrated glucose followed by dilute glucose infusion for severe/coma cases, with close monitoring for 24-48 hours given the risk of recurrence. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Does glipizide increase the risk of heart problems?

The current US label carries an older, class-wide 'Special Warning' (not a boxed warning) about a possible link between sulfonylureas and increased cardiovascular mortality, based on a 1970s study of a different, older sulfonylurea (tolbutamide). However, more recent, specific safety data reviewed by New Zealand's medicines regulator in 2016 found glipizide is associated with LOWER cardiovascular and hypoglycaemia risk than another sulfonylurea (glibenclamide), and positions glipizide as one of the 'preferred sulfonylureas' on current safety grounds. Discuss your individual cardiovascular risk with your clinician. (1) (5)

Is glipizide safe in pregnancy?

This genuinely differs by market: the New Zealand data sheet contraindicates glipizide in pregnancy and breastfeeding, while the current US label uses Pregnancy Category C (used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk, generally stopped at least a month before delivery). Discuss with your clinician which guidance applies to your care. (1) (4)

What is the most important side effect to watch for with glipizide?

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the most important everyday risk with any sulfonylurea, including glipizide. Know the symptoms (shakiness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion) and how to treat them promptly, and discuss your individual risk factors -- such as age, kidney/liver function, and other medicines -- with your clinician. (1) (4)

Is glipizide available in the United States, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada?

Yes, in 5 of these: it is authorised and marketed in the United States (Glucotrol/Glucotrol XL), the United Kingdom (Minodiab), the European Union (Ozidia in France, Minidiab in Italy, Minodiab in Spain, Glucotrol XL in Slovakia, Glipizide BP Galena in Poland), Australia (Minidiab, Glipidiab), and New Zealand (Minidiab). For Canada, this session's direct regulator database queries were not successful, so Canadian availability is honestly recorded as unable to verify rather than assumed. (2) (3) (7) (6) (4) (8)

What is the mechanism of action of glipizide?

Glipizide is a second-generation sulfonylurea. Its primary mode of action is stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, dependent on functioning beta-cell tissue; it appears to lower blood glucose acutely by stimulating insulin release, though the mechanism during long-term administration is not fully established. Extrapancreatic effects may also contribute. (1)

What is the generic name of Glipizide?

The generic name is glipizide. (1)

What class of drug is glipizide?

Glipizide is classed as: Second-generation sulfonylurea (oral hypoglycemic agent). (1)

References

  1. GLUCOTROL (glipizide) TABLETS For Oral Use -- full prescribing information (Reference ID 3389304, revised October 2013)U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- Glucotrol (glipizide) tablets full prescribing information, Pfizer/Roerig, via accessdata.fda.gov (drugsatfda_docs) · United States · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 1
  2. DailyMed search for 'glipizide' -- 186 currently listed products across manufacturersDailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) -- product label search · United States · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 2
  3. Minodiab 5mg Tablets -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Pfizer Limited · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 3
  4. Minidiab 5 mg Tablet -- New Zealand Data Sheet (version pfdmindt10519)Medsafe (New Zealand regulator) -- New Zealand Data Sheet · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 4
  5. Sulfonylureas -- Associated with Cardiovascular Disease? (Prescriber Update Vol. 37 No. 2, June 2016)Medsafe (New Zealand regulator) -- Prescriber Update, informed by the Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee (MARC) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 5
  6. MINIDIAB glipizide 5mg tablet (ARTG 15421) and GLIPIDIAB (Glipizide) 5mg Tablets (ARTG 170384)Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia -- ARTG entries · Australia · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 6
  7. List of nationally authorised medicinal products -- Active substance: glipizide (Procedure no. PSUSA/00001535/202501, dated 02 October 2025)European Medicines Agency (EMA), Human Medicines Evaluation Division -- List of nationally authorised medicinal products · European Union · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 7
  8. Health Canada Drug Product Database -- direct live query attempts failed (HTTP 500 / non-matching results); secondary PharmaCompass DPD-mirror reference to Apotex Inc. glipizide tablets found but not independently verified against the primary source this sessionn/a -- secondary (non-regulator) evidence only; disclosed live-query technical failure against the primary regulator source · Canada · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 8

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient glipizide names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Glucotrol XL5 mg · roerig
View brands in additional countries.

This page provides general reference information about glipizide and is not a substitute for advice from your prescriber. All dosing and treatment decisions, including how to manage hypoglycemia risk, should be made with your prescriber.

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