Metaglip vs. Afrezza for Diabetes Type 2: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Glipizide / metformin and Afrezza (insulin human) are both medications used to manage diabetes. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct characteristics. Glipizide / metformin is a combination of a sulfonylurea and a biguanide used for Type 2 diabetes and it's taken by mouth. It works by stimulating insulin release and improving insulin sensitivity. Afrezza, on the other hand, is an ultra rapid-acting inhaled insulin used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and it helps manage blood sugar levels after meals. While glipizide / metformin is available as a generic, Afrezza does not have a lower-cost generic option. Common side effects of glipizide/metformin include diarrhea, headache, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Afrezza can also cause low blood sugar; cough is another common side effect. Glipizide / metformin should be taken with meals and Afrezza is inhaled at the start of meals. Afrezza is not recommended for people with lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Glipizide/metformin

Get free coupons

Afrezza

(insulin)

Get free coupons

Summary for Metaglip

Prescription only

Glipizide/metformin combines two diabetes medications into one tablet: glipizide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin (a biguanide). It's approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults along with diet and exercise. This medication is typically taken by mouth once or twice a day. Some common side effects of glipizide/metformin can include diarrhea and headache; it isn't likely to cause weight gain or weight loss.

Indications for Metaglip

Type 2 diabetes

Pros and Cons for Metaglip

Pros

Taken by mouth
Combination medication, so more convenient to take
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Need to take with meals
Can't take during pregnancy
Not an option for children

Common Side Effects for Metaglip

Diarrhea (18%)
Headache (13%)
Cold or flu infection (10%)
Low blood sugar levels (9%)
Muscle pain (8%)
Nausea, vomiting (8%)
Stomach pain (6%)
Dizziness (5%)

Warnings for Metaglip

Lactic acidosis
Possible risk of serious heart problems
Low blood sugar levels
Low vitamin B12 levels

Summary for Afrezza

Prescription only

Afrezza is an ultra rapid-acting inhaled insulin for adults with diabetes. It helps manage blood sugar levels from meals. You breathe in the medication through the mouth using the Afrezza inhaler usually at the start of meals. Common side effects are low blood sugar and cough. There's also a risk of bronchospasm (sudden narrowing of the airways), which can make it hard to breathe. So Afrezza (insulin) isn't for people with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Indications for Afrezza

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults

Pros and Cons for Afrezza

Pros

A good choice for people who don't want to use injectable insulin
Can help people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar
Starts to work in about 12 minutes and lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on your dose

Cons

Might need to use more than one cartridge of insulin for your dose (if you need more than 12 units of insulin)
Not for people who smoke or for people with breathing problems (e.g., asthma, COPD)
Not approved for children

Common Side Effects for Afrezza

Low blood sugar (up to 67%)
Cough (up to 29%)
Throat pain or irritation (up to 6%)
Headache (up to 5%)

Warnings for Afrezza

Breathing problems
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Changes in blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin routine
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Low potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications