Type 2 diabetes is also referred to as NIDD, which stands for non-insulin dependent diabetes. This diseases presents no symptoms at an early stage but then advances from insulin resistance to hyperglycemia and then full blown diabetes that requires medical attention. The most prescribed course of treatment is the use of sulfonylureas with diet and exercise. Type II diabetes can be attributed to mutations in various genes (Halsted and Edelman, 2000). Risk factors that increase the chance of getting Type II diabetes are aging, being inactive and obesity (Halsted and Edelman, 2000).
Glipizide was first commercially marketed in 1984. It is a white powder with no aromatic tendencies. It cannot be dissolved in water. Glipizide is the generic name for the brand names of Glucotrol, Glipizide XL, and Glucotrol XL. It is a drug that is consumed orally for the treatment of Type II diabetes. Although it can also be taken intravenously. Once in the system, the drug is absorbed totally and immediately in an equitable manner. The body eliminates the drug in two to four hours after patient administration. Glipizide is broken down in the liver. The substances that metabolize glipizide are excreted in the urine. Approximately ten percent of the glipizide is unaltered when secreted in the urine.
Glipizide is a sulfonylurea drug and is indicated for the treatment of Type II diabetes when diet and exercise alone have been proven ineffective at controlling sugar levels. It is not indicated for people with various ailments such as allergic reactions to glipizide, those with acidosis, patients with Type I diabetes and liver problems.
Glipizide is associated with a higher than normal risk of acquiring hypoglycemia in elderly Type II diabetes patients. However, the use of Glipizide should be administered under close watch by medical professionals due to the advanced age of the patient and the physical ailments that are manifested in this population. It must be noted that in a few elderly patients sensitivity issues may arise with the use of glipizide. Symptoms of decreased or increased blood glucose levels may not be obvious for some time in this population. This can have the effect of decreased blood glucose levels in elderly patients. With these patients, age induced ailments are more common so glipizide should be prescribed with extreme care. If elderly patients exhibit renal or hepatic dysfunction, it is recommended that the dosage of glipizide be lowered to avoid hypoglycemia.
Many type II diabetes medications have not been examined sufficiently for children, even though this disease has been rising at alarming rates in this population. One study has shown that children are prone to a delayed hypoglycemic response of about elven hours after taking a 5 mg tablet of this medication (Szlatenyi, Capes and Wang, 1998). This is something which medical personnel must be aware of.
Glipizide is rated as an US FDA Pregnancy Category C, which means that the drug can be used during pregnancy only if absolutely necessary. This drug has been shown to have mild fetotoxic tendencies in lab animals, but no teratogenicity, or congenital birth defects, could be attributed to glipizide. Atypical sugar levels in a pregnant mother are often linked to an increased level of birth abnormalities. Babies born to mothers taking glipizide have experienced hypoglycemia. However, further research is needed to explore these observations. Most medical professionals are of the opinion that women who intend to become pregnant need to change to insulin if at all possible.
There is some research that indicates glipizide quantities in mothers’ milk are low. The sugar levels of babies whose mothers took 5 mg tablets of glipizide daily were found to be in the normal range. Because glipizide was not really detectable in mothers’ milk or detectable at low levels, it is considered safe for lactating mothers to be on this drug for the management of Type II diabetes, but only if absolutely necessary. However, complete research on this topic is further needed to fully understand glipizide effect on the milk of lactating mothers.
Controlling blood sugar is crucial to protect the body’s organs. Without proper maintenance of the disease, such things as blindness, kidney damage and nerve ailments might arise. Glipizide is one factor that can help manage blood glucose levels. However, as with any drug, there are bothersome side effects that can manifest themselves while taking this drug. These side effects include nausea with or without vomiting, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and constipation, and even weight gain. Adverse side effects are more serious and require prompt medical attention. They are sore throat, elevated temperature, yellow eyes and/or
skin, fatigue, swelling of extremities and seizures (Peterson, 2010). Allergic skin reactions include erythema and eczema, but this accounts for less than two percent of patients taking the drug (Peterson, 2010). Blood disorders such as leukopenia and aplastic anemia have been known to occur as well (Peterson, 2010). However, it must be noted that most people taking glipizide do not experience these adverse side effects. Side effects reported are not often serious enough to warrant changing or stopping medication. As of right now, glipizide is used exclusively for Type II diabetes maintenance. Off label use is a term used when doctors prescribe a medication for another purpose other than its intended use. There are no off label uses for this medication as it would be ineffective for any other diseases such as Type I diabetes.
Finally, it is important to know that glipizide is not a cure for diabetes. In helping to regulate diabetes, it is also helping to manage the symptoms. Controlling blood sugar is of extreme importance and takes much diligence and effort. Glipizide is not a cure all. However, it is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of Type II diabetes because it is an inexpensive generic drug, it is widely available, it is extremely effective and the body adjusts to it more efficiently than most other diabetic drugs. However, glipizide can be taken together with another drug called metformin with glipizide being the secondary medication (Patterson, 2010). Sometimes it is necessary to use two drugs when one drug is not producing the necessary results.
References
Halsted, B., & Edelman, S. (2000). The Natural History of Type 2 Diabetes: Practical Points to
Consider in Developing Prevention and Treatment Strategies. Retrieved August 22, 2016,
Peterson, K. (2010). All You Need to Know About Glipizide. Retrieved August 22, 2016, from http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-information-articles/general/969-glipizide-side-effects-and-precautions
Szlatenyi, C. S., Capes, K. F., & Wang, R. Y. (1998). Delayed hypoglycemia in a child after
ingestion of single glipizide tablet. Retrieved August 22, 2016, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9624321
