What is Glipizide used for?

Glipizide is indicated for: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes mellitus (if insulin refused).

Which species have cited Glipizide dosing data?

Glipizide dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: African Grey Parrot, Cat (Domestic), Cockatiel.

Is Glipizide a controlled substance?

Glipizide is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

How does Glipizide work?

Stimulates insulin secretion from functioning pancreatic beta cells by blocking ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Glipizide

US brand names:Glucotrol

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Glipizide is dosed at 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h in cockatiels, per 714. Pollock C, Pledger T, Renner M. Diabetes mellitus in avian species. Proc Annu Assoc Avian Med; 2001:151-155. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Endocrine

Routes

Indications

Diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus (if insulin refused)

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Cats only (dogs are primarily Type 1 DM). Requires functional beta cells. Hypoglycemia risk. Hepatotoxicity reported in cats. Not first-line (insulin preferred). May cause vomiting and hepatic lipidosis.

Evidence levels across 4 dose rules

Moderate×1Weak×3

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (1 of 4 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	2.5–5 mg per cat	q12h	Moderate	Reusch CE. Chapter 7: Feline Diabetes Mellitus. In: Feldman EC, Nelson RW, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrieff JCR, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:258-314. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-4456-5.00007-9; Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018;54(1):1-21. doi:10.5326/jaaha-ms-6822 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.580, Glipizide monograph spanning p.580-581.

Backed by 4 published sourcesShow

· 422. Hudelson KS, Hudelson PM. Endocrine considerations. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL, eds. Clinical Avian Medicine; Spix Publishing, Palm Beach, FL; 2006:541-557. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.462 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Birds).
· 65. Beaufrère H.Personal observation. 2017/2020. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): *"2 mg/kg PO q8-12h⁶⁵ | Cockatiels/diabetes mellitus; reduced blood glucose and fructosamine in one case"* — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6e, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). Same entry's header row prints the missing caution: *"Sulfonylurea antidiabetic; contraindicated in ketotic patients"*. Ref 65 resolves to "Beaufrère H. Personal observation. 2017/2020." The same table prints a second cockatiel row at 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h (ref 714 = Pollock 2001), and Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery p.396 caps published avian protocols at 1 mg/kg PO BID.

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714. Pollock C, Pledger T, Renner M. Diabetes mellitus in avian species. Proc Annu Assoc Avian Med; 2001:151-155. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds).

· Reusch CE. Chapter 7: Feline Diabetes Mellitus. In: Feldman EC, Nelson RW, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrieff JCR, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:258-314. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-4456-5.00007-9; Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018;54(1):1-21. doi:10.5326/jaaha-ms-6822 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.580, Glipizide monograph spanning p.580-581.