Key takeaways
Alogliptin (Nesina) and Glipizide (Glucotrol XL) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways. Alogliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that helps your body keep insulin around longer and reduces sugar production, while glipizide is a sulfonylurea that signals your pancreas to release more insulin. Alogliptin is typically taken once daily and doesn't usually affect your body weight, whereas glipizide can cause weight gain and may be taken once or twice daily. Glipizide has a higher risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar levels, especially if you skip meals, while alogliptin's common side effects include headaches and cold-like symptoms. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics, but unlike glipizide, alogliptin isn't considered as a first-choice treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
