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Compare Metaglip vs. Afrezza

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

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
    Afrezza (insulin)
  • Glipizide/metformin
    Afrezza (insulin)

  • Summary of Metaglip vs. Afrezza

    Summary for Sulfonylurea / Biguanide
    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.

    Summary for Insulin
    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 of Metaglip vs. Afrezza

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults
    •Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Metaglip vs. Afrezza

    Pros and Const for Sulfonylurea / Biguanide
    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
    Pros and Const for Insulin
    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 of Metaglip vs. Afrezza

    Common Side Effects for
    •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%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar (up to 67%)
    •Cough (up to 29%)
    •Throat pain or irritation (up to 6%)
    •Headache (up to 5%)

  • Warnings of Metaglip vs. Afrezza

    Common Side Effects for
    •Lactic acidosis
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems
    •Low blood sugar levels
    •Low vitamin B12 levels
    Common Side Effects for
    •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

  • Prices with our coupons for Metaglip vs. Afrezza

    Learn more about Glipizide/metformin
    Learn more about Afrezza

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