Metaglip

Metaglip -- a combination of glipizide and metformin --is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Glipizide helps the pancreas produce more insulin, and metformin helps decrease the amount of sugar absorbed into the body and helps the body respond better to insulin. Metaglip comes in tablet form, and is taken once or twice a day. Possible side effects include diarrhea, headaches, or an upper respiratory tract infection.

 

What Is Metaglip?

Metaglip® (glipizide and metformin) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). Metaglip is a combination of two different diabetes medications: glipizide (Glucotrol® or Glucotrol XL®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®).
 
(Click Metaglip Uses for more information on what Metaglip is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Metaglip?

Metaglip is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
 

How Does Metaglip Work?

The two medications in Metaglip work differently and have different effects in the body:
 
 
  • Glipizide is part of a class of diabetes medication called sulfonylureas. A sulfonylurea such as glipizide helps the pancreas make more insulin. It also helps the cells of the body respond to insulin better. This helps to lower blood sugar and keep it under better control.
     
  • Metformin works in several ways. It decreases the amount of sugar (glucose) made by the liver. It can also decrease the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet and can make insulin receptors more sensitive, helping the body respond to its own insulin better. All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar levels.
     
Metaglip is not used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, however.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;