Glipizide+Metformin

When should one not use Glipizide+Metformin

• If you are allergic to glipizide or metformin or any other ingredients of this medicine.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you are an alcoholic or have any thyroid problems.
• If you have uncontrolled diabetes along with either nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, deep or rapid breathing, sleepiness, weight loss, unconsciousness, etc.
• If you have any heart problems or if you recently had a heart attack.
• If you have type 1 diabetes.
• If you suffer from dehydration or severe diarrhoea or vomiting.
• If you are going to undergo any surgery or operation.
• If you have ketone bodies and sugar in your urine.
• If you have a severe infection of the lung or kidney.
• If you are pregnant, think you may be or are breastfeeding.
• If you are on an antifungal medication like miconazole.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Shakiness
• Itchy skin
• Rash
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)

Other General Warnings

• You have problems with your liver or uncontrolled diabetes.
• You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
• You experience signs of low blood glucose like dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and inability to concentrate.
• You experience muscle pain, stomach pain, vomiting, breathing difficulty, and low body temperature. This could be a serious condition known as lactic acidosis.
• You have G6PD deficiency (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency).
• You experience severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and loss of body fluids.
• You have problems with your adrenal or pituitary glands.
• You are scheduled to have surgery or an operation.
• You consume alcohol on a regular basis.
• You develop a fever or infection.
• You eat less or exercise more than usual.
• You suffer from dehydration.
• You are above 60 years old.
• Stop taking this medicine for a short duration if you have severe vomiting or diarrhoea, fever, etc.
• This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years old.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Glipizide+Metformin works, or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• Especially if you are taking medicines such as thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, oestrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blocking drugs, isoniazid, furosemide, nifedipine, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide, topiramate, or zonisamide.
• Glipizide+Metformin should not be used along with Miconazole (used to treat fungal infection) as it can cause low blood sugar leading to symptoms like fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeats, sweating or even coma.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose

• You should never miss your blood sugar medicines as they may lead to high blood sugar and symptoms associated with that.
• If you missed any dose of Glipizide+Metformin, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.