What is the difference between glipizide and metformin?

Glipizide and Metformin are both oral medications used in the treatment of diabetes especially type 2. The two drugs are used in reducing the amount of glucose in the blood. The main difference between Glipizide and Metformin is basically on how the two drugs achieve their functions. Metformin is an oral drug which helps in reducing the amount of glucose in the blood. It does this by reducing the amount of glucose you get from your foods and also lowering the amount of glucose processed by the liver.

While Glipizide is also an anti-diabetic drug. Glipizide helps in lowering the blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin produced by the pancreases. And when there is a good level of insulin in the body, it helps reduce the amount of glucose in the blood. The two drugs are also different in their side effects. Glipizide causes hives, blisters, jittery feeling and dizziness while Metformin causes diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and heartache.