Key takeaways
Glipizide (Glucotrol XL) and Victoza (liraglutide) are used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Both medications work to help lower your blood sugar, but they have several differences between them. Glipizide is a usually taken once or twice a day, and works by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. In contrast, Victoza is injected once daily and helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin release, stopping the body from releasing more sugar, and slowing down digestion. Glipizide can cause side effects like dizziness and diarrhea and may lead to dangerously low blood sugar if not taken with meals. Victoza can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it also carries a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Additionally, Glipizide is available as a lower-cost generic medication, while Victoza does not have a generic form.
