Summary of Use during Lactation

Limited data indicate that the levels of glipizide in milk are low. However, an alternate drug for which there is more information may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Monitor breastfed infants for signs of hypoglycemia such as jitteriness, excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, seizures cyanosis, apnea, or hypothermia. If there is concern, monitoring of the breastfed infant's blood glucose is advisable during maternal therapy with hypoglycemic agents.[1,2]

Drug Levels

Two women who had delivered via cesarean section and were receiving glipizide 5 mg daily in the immediate postoperative period had milk glipizide levels measured. Trough glipizide milk levels were undetectable (<80 mcg/L). The authors estimated that the maximum dosages that a fully breastfed infant would receive is <27% of the weight-adjusted maternal dosage.[3]

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Blood glucose levels were normal in 2 breastfed infants whose mothers were taking oral glipizide 5 mg daily.[3]

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Alternate Drugs to Consider

Acarbose, Glyburide, Insulin, Metformin, Miglitol

References

1.

Everett JA. Use of oral antidiabetic agents during breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1997;13:319–21. [PubMed: 9429368]

2.

Berlin CM, Briggs GG. Drugs and chemicals in human milk. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2005;10:149–59. [PubMed: 15701580]

3.

Feig DS, Briggs GG, Kraemer JM, et al. Transfer of glyburide and glipizide into breast milk. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:1851–5. [PubMed: 16043722]

Substance Name

Glipizide

CAS Registry Number

29094-61-9

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Hypoglycemic Agents

Sulfonylurea Compounds