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How To Overcome Side Effects Of Glipizide?
Question: I was switched from Glyburide to Glipizide about a year ago. Both meds have given me a real dry mouth and when taking Simvistatin, I wake up in the morning with mouth literally burning or hot inside. Now my hair is falling out especially on top. What is the drying ingredient in these meds and could I switch and give myself shots instead which would not have this bad side effect? Thanks, Gayle XXXXXXX - YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Please do share blood glucose levels with me ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. It is difficult to point out the specific agent that is present in all these medications and in my opinion it is not really important as you need to understand that the cause for your mouth dryness could primarily be diabetes itself which has a common side effect of dryness in the mouth and/or throat.
I can understand how this can get really irritating especially as you have to visit the rest room more often to void. But as I mentioned, the primary cause for your dry mouth itself could be the diabetes and so I would like to inquire about your blood glucose levels. Could you please share them with me (e.g. reading from different times from 2-3 different days), making sure you experienced your symptoms during these days.
If at all there is poor control of blood glucose levels observed, then we should indeed consider shifting over to injectables or adding injectables to your treatment regimen.
The secondary cause could be what you have suspected (i.e. oral hypoglycemic agents), in which case we should either shift over to injectables completely or add injectables to your treatment regimen.
For this reason, it is important to first monitor and analyse your blood glucose levels and then make a decision on the way forward. I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please do not ever hesitate to write to me anytime for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Please do share blood glucose levels with me ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. It is difficult to point out the specific agent that is present in all these medications and in my opinion it is not really important as you need to understand that the cause for your mouth dryness could primarily be diabetes itself which has a common side effect of dryness in the mouth and/or throat.
I can understand how this can get really irritating especially as you have to visit the rest room more often to void. But as I mentioned, the primary cause for your dry mouth itself could be the diabetes and so I would like to inquire about your blood glucose levels. Could you please share them with me (e.g. reading from different times from 2-3 different days), making sure you experienced your symptoms during these days.
If at all there is poor control of blood glucose levels observed, then we should indeed consider shifting over to injectables or adding injectables to your treatment regimen.
The secondary cause could be what you have suspected (i.e. oral hypoglycemic agents), in which case we should either shift over to injectables completely or add injectables to your treatment regimen.
For this reason, it is important to first monitor and analyse your blood glucose levels and then make a decision on the way forward. I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please do not ever hesitate to write to me anytime for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. XXXXXXX
I had diabetes for several months before starting on Metformin and did not have this side effect until I started taking Metformin which caused me to be nauseated sometimes and then when switched to Glyburide it was the same symptom. Then Glyburide was taken off the market and was placed on Glipizide.
When placed on Simivistatin for high cholesterol which made dryness even worse, having to drink more water, etc. Sugar levels are around 90 to 125 before I eat breakfast in the morning. Then can go as high as 150 or 160 before I eat dinner depending on what I eat for snacks. Also my 3 month Hemoglobin A1c was 6.4 five months ago.
A friend of mine that had diabetes over 20 years had dry mouth with Metformin but said when she was started on injections she stopped having dry mouth which means it is a side effect but I think it is so severe in my case it is more than a side effect causing other problems.
Thanks for your opinion, I really feel like it should switch to injections where it doesn't keep me in all this misery!!
Brief Answer:
I concur, pls approach your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you so much for that information.
Yes, you are indeed correct. Dryness of the mouth can be caused by metformin, but the reason why metformin is advised is not just to achieve good blood sugar control but also because it helps with weight loss. I am guessing you do have some issues with weight, which is why the metformin was prescribed.
Based on your description is does sound like the metformin is the culprit. But your blood sugar is averagely controlled at HbA1c 6.4%. So the only reason we have to change your medication is the dry mouth.
You should take this up with your doctor and stay well monitored for a while when being shifted over to injectables as the response needs to be monitored for a while.
I concur with your request of shifting over to injectables and so request you to approach your treating doctor. I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
I concur, pls approach your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you so much for that information.
Yes, you are indeed correct. Dryness of the mouth can be caused by metformin, but the reason why metformin is advised is not just to achieve good blood sugar control but also because it helps with weight loss. I am guessing you do have some issues with weight, which is why the metformin was prescribed.
Based on your description is does sound like the metformin is the culprit. But your blood sugar is averagely controlled at HbA1c 6.4%. So the only reason we have to change your medication is the dry mouth.
You should take this up with your doctor and stay well monitored for a while when being shifted over to injectables as the response needs to be monitored for a while.
I concur with your request of shifting over to injectables and so request you to approach your treating doctor. I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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