4 foods to avoid while taking glipizide

In this article:

• How glipizide works
• Foods to avoid
• Foods to prioritize
• Gastrointestinal side effects
• Maximizing glipizide benefits

In this article

• How glipizide works
• Foods to avoid
• Foods to prioritize
• Gastrointestinal side effects
• Maximizing glipizide benefits

Roughly one in ten Americans has diabetes, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As many as 95% of those people have Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, which can develop at any time and at any age, occurs when your cells don’t respond normally to the hormone insulin, which ultimately leads to potentially damaging high blood sugar levels.

The good news: Prescription drugs like glipizide, also sold under the brand name Glucotrol, can help.  Just as Type 2 diabetes can be treated with lifestyle changes—especially changes made in the kitchen—the effectiveness of glipizide can also be influenced by the foods you are eating. In general, you should avoid foods that can raise your blood sugar while taking glipizide. Read on to learn more.

How glipizide works

Glipizide is FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy meal plan and regular exercise. Available in immediate- and extended-release tablets, it can also be used with metformin to help control high blood sugar levels. “It is sometimes used off-label for steroid-induced hyperglycemia, post-transplant diabetes, and certain neonatal diabetes cases,” explains Navya Mysore, MD, a primary care provider based in New York, New York. However, it is not used to treat Type 1 diabetes. 

Glipizide is an oral sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. “It does this by closing potassium channels in beta cells, leading to calcium entry and insulin secretion. This helps reduce blood glucose, especially after meals,” Dr. Mysore says. Glipizide starts to have these effects within 30 minutes of taking the medicine, which is why it is typically taken 30 minutes before meals.

4 foods to avoid with glipizide

“Certain foods and drinks can interact with glipizide,” says Dr. Mysore. Following a healthy diet that supports blood sugar control is key to getting the most out of a Type 2 diabetes medication like glipizide. If you’re taking glipizide, experts recommend avoiding the following foods.

1. Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can lower blood sugar levels. This puts people with diabetes at risk of hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar. “This can potentially lead to symptoms like headache, dizziness, irregular heart rate, and loss of coordination,” explains Jordan Hill, RD, a registered dietitian with Live it Up. Since the symptoms of low blood sugar are the same as being a bit tipsy, drinking alcohol can make it difficult to notice when blood glucose is out of balance, which could raise your risk of serious conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis. 

While a glass of wine with dinner probably won’t drastically affect your blood sugar, per the American Diabetes Association, a cocktail or multiple drinks on an empty stomach are definitely a no-go.

2. Simple carbohydrates

“You should avoid simple and refined carbs while taking glipizide because they cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, leading to fluctuations that can make diabetes harder to control,” notes Dr. Mysore. “These foods can increase post-meal glucose levels, reducing the drug’s effectiveness.” 

This category includes foods like white bread, pasta, white rice, sugary breakfast cereals, crackers, baked goods, and candies.

3. Processed and packaged foods

Processed foods and packaged snacks are on this list for two reasons. First, they can be high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, meaning they can cause rapid blood sugar spikes after consumption. Second, they are often high in sodium. “Sodium is a fantastic preservative, keeping foods shelf stable, which is why processed and packaged foods are commonly high in it,” notes Hill. “But over time, it can lead to heart issues like high blood pressure.” Considering that high blood pressure is common in people with Type 2 diabetes, per research in the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, it’s smart to take steps to lower your risk.

A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings also recently linked high salt intake to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes—making avoiding these foods a no-brainer.

4. Sugary drinks

Sugary drinks like soda, juice, energy drinks, and sugar-sweetened coffees cause rapid blood sugar spikes—though black coffee is fine to drink. In fact, a new study published in Nature Medicine estimates that 2.2 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes occur globally each year due to consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.  

It’s also important to be aware of potential drug interactions with glipizide. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. 

What should you eat while taking glipizide?

“While it’s possible to eat any type of food while on glipizide, general healthy eating recommendations are still encouraged,” says Hill. That means favoring foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. “Protein, fiber, and fats help slow digestion and absorption, which helps to keep blood sugars from spiking,” Hill adds. She recommends filling your plate with a balanced combination of foods with a low glycemic index (some of which, like fatty fish and avocado, actually work to lower blood sugar). These foods gradually raise blood sugar, rather than creating sudden spikes after eating, and include choices, such as:

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Fatty fish
• Tofu
• Eggs
• Beans and lentils
• Fruits and vegetables
• Quinoa and brown rice
• Oats
• Avocado
• Nuts
• Olive oil

Gastrointestinal side effects of glipizide

Glipizide may cause gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea, gas, light-colored stools, and dark urine, though Dr. Mysore notes that these are not very common. 

Following the above eating advice should help to minimize your risk of common side effects. “To avoid side effects from glipizide, take it with food to reduce nausea and stomach discomfort, start with a low dose, and avoid large meals or overeating,” says Dr. Mysore. “Stay hydrated, monitor blood sugar levels regularly, and opt for easily digestible foods if you experience GI issues.”

Tips for maximizing glipizide benefits

There are several ways to ensure that glipizide works at its best, such as:

• Follow your dosing instructions: “To maximize the benefits of glipizide, take it consistently as prescribed, usually 30 minutes before meals, to optimize its effect on post-meal blood sugar,” Dr. Mysore says. If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember it, even if that is when you’re sitting down to eat or after you finish. But if you realize at dinner that you forgot to take your glipizide before lunch, don’t take a double dose to try to make up for it—just take your regular dose and consider the previous one missed.
• Follow a healthy eating plan: “Pair glipizide with a balanced diet rich in fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and avoid large amounts of refined sugars and simple carbs,” Dr. Mysore adds. 
• Exercise regularly: This has been shown repeatedly to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends 150 minutes per week of physical activity (any kind), plus trying not to stay in a sitting position for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
• Stay in touch with your healthcare team: “Monitor your blood sugar levels to stay on track and check in with your healthcare provider at your regular follow-up appointments,” suggests Dr. Mysore. 

The effects of glipizide may start to lessen the longer you take it, so it’s important to get regular medical advice from a healthcare professional. Your healthcare team can continue to test your blood sugar levels and adjust your dose as needed.