I have taken Actoplusmet (Actos and Metformin--generic Glucophage--in one pill) for many years. I also take Levemir insulin. Because I have lost 50 pounds recently, my endocrinologist has reduced my units from 60 to 45, twice daily. Last summer we dropped the Actos for the Metformin alone. My numbers went out of control. Tried Onglyza for a while, but it was not efficacious, so I went back on the Actoplusmet.
Does anyone know about Glipizide? I know it is available as a stand alone drug and also with Metformin (as Actos is). I am interested especially to hear from people who formerly took Actos but now take Glipizide.
I started out on metformin and glipizide, but my endo wanted me off it as soon as possible - and so did I once I learned what it was.
Glipizide is a sulfonylurea, and its action is to stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. And that ability is finite, so while it works, one borrows from the future as it were, further compromising the pancreas.
I got off glipizide by taking tight control of my diet, but if that and metformin in concert hadn't worked in the end, I would've chosen to manage with insulin instead, and tweaked insulin vs my pancreas.
Thanks for the information. I am being diligent about dietary choices, which along with exercise is helping me to lose weight and take better charge of my diabetic treatment.
Congrats on your weight loss. From what I understand about Glipizide is that it overstimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin. So in the short run it may reduce bgs, but at a cost of making you more insulin resistant and possible beta cell burnout. My husband has been on plain actos for 15 years with no problems. He is able to keep his HbA1c from the mid - high 5's. I just use the maximum amount of metformin and it seems to work with 30 carbs per day. I have lost all my weight I can so I am kind of in a management stage right now.
I'm surprised that you are on a sulfonlyrea as well as insulin. It is actually counterproductive and working against each other. The whole purpose for insulin is to give your beta cells and pancreas a rest; to help it to not have to work so hard. Glipizide and Actos work to stimulate the pancreas to create more insulin. So you are using a drug that causes your pancreas to work even harder and adding insulin to the mix...you must have a huge overload of insulin causing more insulin resistance. I'm actually surprised you were able to lose weight with the combination of meds you are on.
IMHO I would get off the glipizide and actos, stay on the metformin and increase the Levemir.
But, that is just my opinion. Do with it what you will.
naynay -- That is valuable information. Thank you. I had asked to remove Actos from the regimen last summer, which coincided with the extreme increase in glucose numbers. I had mentioned to the doctor that I had been taking Actos and Metformin for many years prior to the introduction of insulin to the regimen. I asked if the insulin would be enough. He decided to eliminate Actos and keep Metformin. In the meantime, I began seeing an endocrinologist. She added Victoza to the regimen. I really do not want to continue to take ALL of this medicine. Among other considerations, cost is a major factor. I have now lost 53 pounds and my numbers are well within goal range. The endocrinologist has reduced my Levemir from 60 units twice daily to 45 twice daily.
i just went off victoza - evidently its well known that victoza 'stops' working for folks, usually at around 6 months. thats exactly what happened to me. dr bernstein still uses it, but rotates it out on a regular basis.
victoza is very expensive - if it were me i'd take the max of metformin and dump everything else.
my endo also put me on Victoza & said to not take januvia with it. well that stuff made me sick as dog I took it for 3days maybe. then read the info on it my respect for my doc hit the floor. I tossed that wicked stuff. then I get a letter from Insureance saying they would not pay for it again. lol well that suited me.
back on januvia/metf/glip/insulin. then I decided to drop ,on my own , after reading about them .
I stayed with my metform.2000.. my ## shot up really high so I took 1 glip not 4. now my# are back to normal & low . well low for me lol.so down the road I will drop it too & see what happens.
I've just begun a low carb (under 40) diet and BS numbers have gone way done. I was taking 15mg glipizide for 2 years but gained weight and without low carbs, BS was only A1C of 7.4
I've just now changed to Metfromin EXT Rel 750 mg daily and wondered if this was a bad idea?
Yes, I'll keep checking frequently throughout the day but wondered if anyone else had switched from Glipizide to Metformin over the fears that others have stated regarding Glipizide?
I was diagnosed for diabetes 6 yrs ago and was on metformin earlier, now switched to glycomet 1 tab in the morning. Food supplements like omega 3, nutrilite protein and fibre, glucose health and multivitamins n minerals really had a magic on my sugar levels. Last months report of 250mg pp reduced to 115 this month.. Really fantastic stuff, everybody needs to try these supplements rather than drugs..
Sanuja not everyone can use supplements to control BG. I am T1. Therefore I need insulin to survive. No supplement will work for me or for many T2s for that matter.
yes, i understand for T1 its necessary to take insulin.. But for T2 in my case, supplements worked and i just suggested that, in case it helps others also.. Becos supplements do not have any side effects..
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