Key takeaways
Glipizide/metformin and Humalog (insulin lispro) are both used to manage diabetes, but they have several differences between them. They're used for different types of diabetes. Glipizide/metformin is a combination medication that includes glipizide, a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, and metformin, a biguanide that reduces sugar production and absorption. It's used to treat Type 2 diabetes and must be taken with meals to avoid low blood sugar. Humalog is a fast-acting insulin injection used for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It starts working within 15 minutes and is typically taken before meals to manage blood sugar spikes. While glipizide/metformin is available as a lower-cost generic, Humalog is available in various prefilled pens and vials but does not have a generic form. Both medications can cause low blood sugar, but Humalog also carries risks of low potassium and fluid retention, especially when used with certain medications.
