Glucotrol Xl
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
2.5mg · 5mg · 10mg
Glipizide extended-release tablets for type 2 diabetes. The prolonged release keeps the pancreas nudged to make insulin steadily, rather than in one short burst.
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Glipizide
One product sits on this shelf: Glucotrol Xl, an extended-release tablet of glipizide, a sulfonylurea that lowers blood glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg strengths.
Key points
- People with G6PD deficiency are at risk of haemolytic anaemia when treated with glipizide or any sulfonylurea, and a non-sulfonylurea alternative should be considered for this group.
- All sulfonylureas, including glipizide, can produce severe hypoglycaemia. The risk rises when calorie intake is low, after prolonged exercise, when alcohol is taken, or when more than one glucose-lowering medicine is used.
- The extended-release tablet does not dissolve in the gut, so it is avoided in people with severe gastrointestinal narrowing from disease or an earlier procedure.
How does Glipizide work?
Glipizide prompts the pancreas to release more insulin after a meal. It acts on the insulin-producing beta cells, triggering them to let go of stored insulin. Because this depends on those cells still functioning, glipizide is not used for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
The after-meal response is what matters most. Fasting insulin levels stay roughly the same even after months of treatment, but the surge that follows eating remains enhanced. That is why the label describes glipizide as an addition to diet and exercise within Diabetes Management, not a substitute for them.