Differences Between Glipizide And Glyburide

Glipizide vs Glyburide

Even though glyburide and glipizide are both prescribed to treat diabetes type 2, they still have their differences. They are members of the sulfonylureas which stimulate the pancreatic beta cells that will help release insulin. They also promote the absorption of insulin efficiently. The benefits are just treatments for high blood sugar; they are not cures.

 

Dosage of Glipizide and Glyburide

 

The difference between the medication of glipizide and glyburide is the absorption, initial dosage and half-life. They both can be taken orally but the former is built for extended release. Its life in a human body is between two to seven hours. It slows the absorption of food if 5 milligrams is taken per day. The usual side effects of this medicine are dizziness, rash and diarrhea. More serious effects are dark-colored urine, yellow eyes and light colored stool. Glyburide’s dosage on the other hand is 2.5-5.0 mg. The life of this medication is up to 10 hours. When this medication is taken, food is not affected. Users might experience side effects such as rash, heartburn and nausea. Serious effects can be facial swelling, unusual bleeding and fever.

 

Both drugs are as effective as tobultamide and chlorpropamide first generation drugs. The glipizide, on a positive note, has proven to be more effective than other drugs. Both glyburide and glipizide have contraindications with anti-inflammatory drugs, beta blockers, alcohol and hormone contraceptives. Diabetes type 1 cannot be cured with either drug because the body cannot produce insulin. On the other hand, the problem with type 2 is the insulin that the body produces is improperly used.

 

Side Effects of Glyburide and Glipizide

 

There are some side effects of glyburide that many people experience even though most people generally tolerate it. One example is heartburn, which can be worsened when alcohol is added to the picture. Other rarer side effects are low blood sugar, allergic reaction and liver problems. Some issues are chills, fever and blurred vision, bruising and bleeding easily and sore throat. Some people feel weak or tired easily. They also have irregular heartbeat and sudden weight gain. Some people feel stomach fullness and nausea.

Glipizide side effects depend upon the blood sugar levels of a patient. The drug can cause a significant change to the blood sugar of the patient causing it to drop. Some side effects are tremors, shakiness, diarrhea, nervousness and dizziness. Other common effects are blurry vision, sweating, anxiety and headaches. Its use is to actually lessen the sugar in the human blood. It stimulates the pancreas to help produce insulin. Some patients do not experience side effects. Some additional side effects are palpitations decreased libido, vertigo, and unconsciousness. If this ever happens, calling a doctor is advised. There are also times when darkening of urine can happen. It might be just an effect of the glipizide or it might be something else. Regular check-ups are a must if a person has diabetes 1 or 2. Remember that these drugs only work with diabetes type 2.

Summary:

1. Even though glyburide and glipizide are both prescribed to treat diabetes type 2, they still have their differences. They are members of sulfonylureas which stimulate the pancreatic beta cells that will help release insulin.

2. The difference between the medication of glipizide and glyburide is the absorption, initial dosage and half-life. They both can be taken orally but the former is built for extended release.

3. Both glyburide and glipizide have contraindications with anti-inflammatory drugs, beta blockers, alcohol and hormone contraceptives.

4. Regular check-ups are a must if a person has diabetes 1 or 2. Remember that these drugs only work with diabetes type 2.

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