NutriStack
Chromium and Glipizide, a caution.
Chromium supplementation can lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes by improving insulin signaling. Stacked on top of a sulfonylurea like glipizide, which itself drives endogenous insulin release, this additive glucose-lowering can produce hypoglycemia, especially during the first weeks after starting chromium or after dose changes. Older adults and patients with renal impairment are most vulnerable.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Chromium supplementation can lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes by improving insulin signaling. Stacked on top of a sulfonylurea like glipizide, which itself drives endogenous insulin release, this additive glucose-lowering can produce hypoglycemia, especially during the first weeks after starting chromium or after dose changes. Older adults and patients with renal impairment are most vulnerable.
Mechanism. Chromium potentiates insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and upregulates GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle, lowering postprandial glucose. Combined with glipizide's stimulation of pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion via SUR1/Kir6.2 channel closure, the two produce additive lowering of blood glucose.
Recommendation. If you take glipizide, do not start chromium without telling your prescriber. Check fingerstick glucose more often (especially before meals and at bedtime) for the first 2-4 weeks, and ask whether the glipizide dose should be reduced.
Sources (2)
- Singer GM, Geohas J. The effect of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation on glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006;8(6):636-43. PMID 17109595
- Havel PJ. A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistance. Diabetes Educ. 2004;Suppl:2-14. PMID 15208835
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Chromium and Glipizide are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example. NutriStack runs every pair in your stack at once.
Drop in your supplements and prescriptions and the public database surfaces every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, every one linked to its primary source.