Method for lowering blood glucose

Abstract

The invention disclosed comprises a method for administering the antidiabetic drug glipizide to a patient in need of glipizide in need of antidiabetic therapy.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient, wherein the method comprises administering to the patient a dosage form comprising 2.0 mg to 750 mg of a glipizide composition that is administered at a dose of 10 ng to 25 mg per hour over an extended period of 24 hours, and wherein the method is characterized by administering the glipizide from a dosage form selected from the group consisting of an osmotic dosage form comprising a semipermeable polymer permeable to the passage of fluid, and a diffusion dosage form comprising a polymer that permits diffusion of glipizide through the polymer. 
     
     
       2. A method for lowering blood sugar in the treatment of a diabetic patient, which method comprises orally administering to the patient an effective blood sugar lowering dose of a composition comprising glipizide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which blood sugar lowering dose is administered by a method selected from the group consisting of osmosis comprising a semipermeable membrane, diffusion through a polymer permeable to glipizide, and ion-exchange over time to produce the intended lowering of the blood sugar in the patient. 
     
     
       3. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient, wherein the method comprises orally administering to the patient a once-a-day dosage form comprising 2.0 mg to 50 mg of a glipizide composition and wherein the method is characterized by administering the glipizide from an osmotic dosage form comprising polyethylene oxide, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, cellulose acetate, and sodium chloride.