Drug Mechanism: How does Glipizide XL work?

Glipizide is an oral glucose-lowering drug in a class of medications for diabetes called sulfonylureas.

Glipizide lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin and helping the body use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of producing insulin for Glipizide to work. Insulin is a hormone which lowers the blood sugar level.

Approximately 90% of patients with diabetes has type II or non- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Type II diabetes usually occurs in adulthood and is associated with obesity and a strong family history of diabetes. The inability to control the blood sugar (glucose) is caused by impaired insulin release by the pancreas and resistance to insulin by cells.