Metaglip Side Effects
Generic name: glipizide / metformin
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 16, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Metaglip Side Effects associated with glipizide / metformin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Metaglip.
Applies to glipizide / metformin: oral tablet.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Oral route (tablet)
Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious, metabolic complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation during treatment with glipiZIDE/metformin hydrochloride; when it occurs, it is fatal in approximately 50% of cases.
The risk of lactic acidosis increases with renal impairment, increased age, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, hepatic insufficiency, and other conditions whenever there is significant tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxemia.
Treatment with glipiZIDE/metformin hydrochloride should not be initiated in patients 80 years of age or older unless measurement of creatinine clearance demonstrates that renal function is normal.
Therapy should temporarily be discontinued prior to any intravascular radiocontrast study or surgical procedure.
Avoid excessive alcohol use since alcohol potentiates the effects of metformin on lactate metabolism.
Discontinue therapy immediately and institute supportive measures promptly for suspected lactic acidosis.
Precautions
Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits , especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine.
Under certain conditions, too much glipizide and metformin can cause lactic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include abdominal or stomach discomfort; decreased appetite; diarrhea; fast, shallow breathing; general feeling of discomfort; muscle pain or cramping; and unusual sleepiness, tiredness, or weakness.
If symptoms of lactic acidosis occur, you should get immediate emergency medical help.
It is very important to follow carefully any instructions from your health care team about:
- Alcohol—Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
- Other medicines—Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.
- Counseling—Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, patients with diabetes may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur in patients with diabetes during pregnancy.
- Travel—Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all your medicines.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include anxiety; behavior change similar to being drunk; blurred vision; cold sweats; confusion; cool, pale skin; difficulty in thinking; drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat; headache (continuing); nausea; nervousness; nightmares; restless sleep; shakiness; slurred speech; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Glipizide and metformin combination can cause low blood sugar. However, it also can occur if you delay or miss a meal or snack, drink alcohol, exercise more than usual, cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting, take certain medicines, or take glipizide and metformin with another type of diabetes medicine. Symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so that you can treat it quickly.
If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes; or drink fruit juice, nondiet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Glucagon is used in emergency situations when severe symptoms such as seizures (convulsions) or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe or needle, and know how to use it. Members of your household also should know how to use it.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) include blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased urination (frequency and volume); ketones in urine; loss of appetite; sleepiness; stomachache, nausea, or vomiting; tiredness; troubled breathing (rapid and deep); unconsciousness; or unusual thirst.
High blood sugar may occur if you do not exercise as much as usual, have a fever or infection, do not take enough or skip a dose of your diabetes medicine, or overeat or do not follow your meal plan.
If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your health care professional for instructions.
Serious side effects of Metaglip
Along with its needed effects, glipizide / metformin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glipizide / metformin:
More common side effects
- anxiety
- blurred vision
- chills
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- cool pale skin
- cough
- depression
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- headache
- increased hunger
- nausea
- nervousness
- nightmares
- seizures
- shakiness
- slurred speech
- sneezing
- sore throat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common side effects
- bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- frequent urge to urinate
- lower back or side pain
- pounding in the ears
- slow heartbeat
Rare side effects
- abdominal discomfort
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- fainting spells
- fast, shallow breathing
- general feeling of discomfort
- muscle pain or cramping
- shortness of breath
- sleepiness
Symptoms of Overdose
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking glipizide / metformin:
- abdominal discomfort
- anxiety
- behavior change, similar to drunkenness
- blurred vision
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- cool, pale skin
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- difficulty in concentrating
- drowsiness
- excessive hunger
- fast heartbeat
- fast, shallow breathing
- general feeling of discomfort
- headache
- muscle pain or cramping
- nausea
- nervousness
- nightmares
- restless sleep
- seizures
- shakiness
- slurred speech
- unusual sleepiness
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects of Metaglip
Some side effects of glipizide / metformin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- muscle or bone pain
- stomach pain
- vomiting
For healthcare professionals
Applies to glipizide / metformin: oral tablet.
Metabolic adverse events
Glipizide-Metformin:
- Very common (10% or more): Hypoglycemia (up to 12.6%)
Glipizide:
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia
Metformin:
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Lactic acidosis[Ref]
Metabolic side effects, including lactic acidosis, which is a potentially fatal metabolic complication of biguanide therapy, has been reported in patients receiving metformin. The incidence of lactic acidosis has been about 0.03 cases per 1,000 patient years with approximately 0.015 fatal cases per 1,000 patient-years. The risk of lactic acidosis is particularly high in patients with underlying renal insufficiency. Cases of lactic acidosis occurring in patients with normal renal function have been rarely reported. Concomitant cardiovascular or liver disease, sepsis, and hypoxia may also increase the risk of lactic acidosis.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 18.4%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain[Ref]
Hematologic
Glipizide:
- Frequency not reported: Hemolytic anemia
- Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic anemia in patients not known to have G6PD deficiency
Metformin:
- Common (1% to 10%): Subnormal vitamin B12 levels
- Frequency not reported: Anemia[Ref]
Hepatic
Glipizide:
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Cholestatic and hepatocellular hepatic injury accompanied by jaundice[Ref]
Respiratory
- Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory infection (up to 10.3%)[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 12.6%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Common (1% to 10%):: Musculoskeletal pain.[Ref]
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References
1. (2002) "Product Information. Metaglip (glipizide-metformin)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
More about Metaglip (glipizide / metformin)
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- Drug class: antidiabetic combinations
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Further information
Metaglip side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.