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In this Article

• What is glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• What are the possible side effects of glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• What is the most important information I should know about glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• How should I take glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Metaglip)?
• What happens if I overdose (Metaglip)?
• What should I avoid while taking glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• What other drugs will affect glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glipizide and metformin (Metaglip)?

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:

• heart disease;
• liver disease; or
• a history of heart attack or stroke.

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 (Metaglip)?

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.