Glipizide
También conocido como: Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, Metaglip, Minodiab
Your veterinarian has prescribed **glipizide** to help manage your cat's diabetes. This medication works by stimulating your cat's pancreas to release more insulin. * **Patience is Key**: It can take **4 to 8 weeks** to see the full benefits of this medication. Do not stop giving it unless directed by your veterinarian. * **Watch for Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)**: Signs include weakness, wobbliness, lethargy, muscle twitching, or seizures. If you see these signs, rub a little corn syrup or honey on your cat's gums and contact your vet immediately. * **Watch for High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)**: If the medication isn't working well enough, you may notice increased thirst, increased urination, or weight loss. * **Side Effects**: Some cats may experience vomiting or loss of appetite, especially when first starting the drug. If vomiting is severe or lasts more than a couple of days, or if you notice a yellowing of the eyes/gums (jaundice), call your veterinarian. * **Diet**: Give this medication with a meal as directed, and stick to the specific diet (often high-protein/low-carbohydrate or high-fiber) recommended by your vet.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Diabetes mellitus (non-ketotic, relatively healthy)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetes mellitus (mild weight loss, non-ketoacidotic, no peripheral neuropathy)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Non-ketotic diabetes mellitus
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Gastrointestinal upset (anorexia, vomiting in ~15% of cats)
- Hypoglycemia (severe cases are rare)
- Hepatotoxicity (cholestatic jaundice and elevated liver enzymes in ~8% of cats)
- Increased pancreatic amyloid deposit formation
- Allergic skin reactions (reported in humans)
- Bone marrow suppression (reported in humans)
- Vomiting
- Hypoglycemia
- Jaundice (hepatotoxicity)
- Skin rashes
- Fever
Cautions & contraindications
- Severe burns, trauma, or infection
- Diabetic coma or other hypoglycemic conditions
- Major surgery
- Ketosis, ketoacidosis, or other significant acidotic conditions
- Known hypersensitivity to sulfonylureas
- Diabetic ketosis / ketoacidosis
- Hepatic impairment
- Renal impairment
- Absolute insulin deficiency (Type I diabetes)
- Insulin resistance
- > **Important**: Glipizide should be used with extreme caution in patients with untreated adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, thyroid impairment, renal or hepatic function impairment, prolonged vomiting, high fever, malnourishment, or debilitated conditions. * **Efficacy Loss**: While initially effective, glipizide may become ineffective weeks to months after starting therapy, eventually requiring a transition to insulin. * **Concurrent Endocrine Disease**: Conditions causing excessive cortisol or growth hormone production (e.g., hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly) can antagonize insulin effects and must be ruled out before initiating therapy. * **Hepatic Monitoring**: Monitor liver enzymes closely. Discontinue if ALT exceeds 500 IU/L or if icterus develops.
Drug interactions
- Alcohol: May cause a disulfiram-like reaction (anorexia, nausea, vomiting)
- Azole Antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole): May increase plasma levels of glipizide
- Beta-blockers: May potentiate hypoglycemic effect and mask signs of hypoglycemia
- Chloramphenicol: May displace glipizide from plasma proteins, increasing effect
- Cimetidine: May potentiate hypoglycemic effect
- Corticosteroids: May antagonize insulin effects and reduce glipizide efficacy
- Thiazide Diuretics: May reduce hypoglycemic efficacy
- Isoniazid: May reduce hypoglycemic efficacy
- MAO Inhibitors: May potentiate hypoglycemic effect
- Niacin: May reduce hypoglycemic efficacy
- Phenothiazines: May reduce hypoglycemic efficacy
- Phenytoin: May reduce hypoglycemic efficacy
- Probenecid: May potentiate hypoglycemic effect
- Sulfonamides: May displace glipizide from plasma proteins, increasing effect
- Sympathomimetic Agents: May reduce hypoglycemic efficacy
- Thyroid Agents: May reduce hypoglycemic effect
- Warfarin: May displace glipizide from plasma proteins
- ACE inhibitors: May enhance the hypoglycemic effects of glipizide
- NSAIDs: May enhance the hypoglycemic effects of glipizide
- Potentiated sulphonamides: May enhance the hypoglycemic effects of glipizide
- Fluoroquinolones: May enhance the hypoglycemic effects of glipizide
Preguntas frecuentes
What is Glipizide used for in pets?
Your veterinarian has prescribed glipizide to help manage your cat's diabetes. This medication works by stimulating your cat's pancreas to release more insulin. • Patience is Key: It can take 4 to 8 weeks to see the full benefits of this medication. Do not stop giving it unless directed by your veterinarian. • Watch for Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Signs include weakness, wobbliness, lethargy, muscle twitching, or seizures. If you see these signs, rub a little corn syrup or honey on your cat's gums and contact your vet immediately. • Watch for High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia): If the medication isn't working well enough, you may notice increased thirst, increased urination, or weight loss. • Side Effects: Some cats may experience vomiting or loss of appetite, especially when first starting the drug. If vomiting is severe or lasts more than a couple of days, or if you notice a yellowing of the eyes/gums (jaundice), call your veterinarian. • Diet: Give this medication with a meal as directed, and stick to the specific diet (often high-protein/low-carbohydrate or high-fiber) recommended by your vet.
Is Glipizide safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Este artículo es educación general y no sustituye el consejo veterinario profesional. Si tu mascota está mal, consulta a un veterinario.
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