Gemfibrozil and Glipizide: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Glipizide
Gemfibrozil
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Hypoglycemia
Interaction Deep Dive
Concurrent use of gemfibrozil and glipiZIDE may increase the risk of hypoglycemic events in some patients1. Monitor blood glucose levels closely when gemfibrozil is added to or discontinued from sulfonylurea therapy.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In adult patients newly-exposed to a sulfonylurea plus antihyperlipidemic agent (N=592,872), incidence of severe hypoglycemia was 5.8 per 100 person-years, based on retrospective cohort studies. In one cohort, concomitant use of glipiZIDE and gemfibrozil was associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycemic events (adjusted HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.69) within 181 days. Included patients were newly-exposed to concomitant use of glipiZIDE and gemfibrozil (12 months or less) 1.
Common questions
Can I take Gemfibrozil and Glipizide together?
Hypoglycemia Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Gemfibrozil and Glipizide interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Gemfibrozil or Glipizide need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Leonard CE, Bilker WB, Brensinger CM, et al: Severe hypoglycemia in users of sulfonylurea antidiabetic agents and antihyperlipidemics. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2016; 99(5):538-547. DOI
Keep reading about Glipizide
Keep reading about Gemfibrozil
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
Still have questions about this combination?
Every question gets a real answer from a licensed pharmacist — free, and usually within a day.
Ask the pharmacist