From the Guidelines
Glipizide can cause gastrointestinal side effects, but diarrhea is not explicitly listed as a common adverse reaction in the provided evidence. According to the study published in Diabetes Care in 2025 1, sulfonylureas, the class of medications to which glipizide belongs, have unknown effects on MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) and may cause hypoglycemia, but specific gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea are not detailed for glipizide. However, it's essential to consider that gastrointestinal side effects can occur with many medications, including those for diabetes management.
Key Considerations
- The provided evidence does not explicitly mention diarrhea as a side effect of glipizide but notes that sulfonylureas can have various adverse effects, including hypoglycemia and weight gain.
- Glipizide, like other sulfonylureas, is initiated conservatively to avoid hypoglycemia, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or those at risk for hypoglycemia.
- Patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, while on glipizide should consult their healthcare provider for guidance on managing these side effects, which might include adjusting the dosage or taking the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.
Clinical Implications
- Monitoring for hypoglycemia and adjusting the dose of glipizide as needed is crucial, especially in patients with impaired kidney function.
- Although the evidence does not specifically address diarrhea as a side effect of glipizide, healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for gastrointestinal side effects and manage them appropriately to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.
From the FDA Drug Label
Gastrointestinal disturbances are the most common reactions. Gastrointestinal complaints were reported with the following approximate incidence: nausea and diarrhea, one in seventy; constipation and gastralgia, one in one hundred They appear to be dose-related and may disappear on division or reduction of dosage.
Yes, Glipizide can cause diarrhea, with an approximate incidence of one in seventy patients, and it may be dose-related 2.
From the Research
Glipizide and Diarrhea
- The studies provided do not directly address the question of whether Glipizide can cause diarrhea 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, one study mentions that sulfonylureas, the class of medication to which Glipizide belongs, can cause various discomforts, including diarrhea, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus 7.
- Another study notes that antidiabetic drugs, including sulfonylureas, can lead to adverse effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting 7.
- It can be inferred that Glipizide, as a sulfonylurea, may have the potential to cause diarrhea in some patients, although this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 7.