What is Glipizide?
Glipizide is an oral prescription drug that belongs to the class of drugs called sulfonylureas. The main function of glipizide is to control elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Sulfonylureas enhance the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas [1]. Sulfonylureas increase nutrient-stimulated insulin release and this is the main factor that contributes to its anti-diabetic action [2].
Besides its role in controlling blood glucose, glipizide also suppresses tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting angiogenesis – the rapid growth of new blood vessels [3].
Understanding Glipizide
How does Glipizide work?
One of the main mechanisms through which glipizide acts is to stimulate the liver to produce insulin, which is released by the β-cells of the pancreas. Insulin helps to reduce blood sugar levels by facilitating the transportation of glucose from the bloodstream into cells [4].
Furthermore, Glipizide has an inhibitory effect on erythrocytic transglutaminase activity. Anti-diabetic medication reduces transglutaminase activity while being metabolised, therefore, enhancing the effect of insulin [5].
Additionally, glipizide interacts with Human Serum Albumin (HSA), which is the main plasma protein responsible for the transport of molecules such as drugs, hormones, fatty acids and several endogenous metabolites[4].
Importance of diet in Type 2 Diabetes
Diet plays a crucial role in the management and prevention of type 2 diabetes. It is one of the pillars of diabetes treatment and can exert both prophylactic and therapeutic effects [6, 7].
A balanced diet can improve the quality of life of diabetic patients, minimize the risk of complications, and even prevent the onset of the disease [6, 8].
High carbohydrate foods, will trigger rapid increases in blood sugar levels since carbohydrates are broken down into glucose through digestion and are subsequently released into the bloodstream and finally transferred to cells [9].
What foods should be avoided while taking Glipizide?
Currently, there is no specific evidence on which foods should be avoided while taking Glipizide, however, there are substances and certain conditions that can negatively interact with the medication.
Alcohol is an example of a substance which should be avoided when being prescribed with Glipizide. Alcohol can "conceal" the exhibited symptoms of hypoglycemia (decreased blood sugar levels), therefore making it hard to deduce whether blood sugar levels are depleted. Furthermore, alcohol can either elevate or reduce blood sugar levels and can prevent the effectiveness of Glipizide in regulating blood sugar levels [10].
Additionally, other medications can negatively interact with Glipizide, consequently triggering either an increase or decrease in blood sugar levels in the body. An example that could be mentioned is dietary supplements. Hence it is necessary to discuss with a doctor which supplements and medications are suitable for combining with Glipizide [1].
Glipizide should be administered 30 minutes before eating breakfast or meals, which is mentioned on the prescription label [11]. Food is a crucial contributor to the absorption and effectiveness of the medication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Glipizide controls elevated blood sugar levels in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There is not enough evidence on which foods should be avoided while taking Glipizide, however, it is recommended to limit alcohol consumption as it interferes with the mechanism of the drug. It is crucial to maintain a consistent and balanced diet to keep blood sugar levels under control.