Which medications are associated with hypoglycemia?

• A. Glipizide, Glyburide, Chlorpropamide
• B. Metformin
• C. Pioglitazone
• D. Tamoxifen

Answer: (A)

Medications that cause hypoglycemia are those that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. Sulfonylureas—glipizide, glyburide, and chlorpropamide—do this by closing potassium channels in beta cells, prompting insulin release even when blood glucose is low. This can lead to hypoglycemia, especially if meals are skipped, activity increases, or kidney function alters drug clearance. Other diabetes drugs work differently and don’t typically cause hypoglycemia: metformin lowers hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity without boosting insulin secretion; pioglitazone also increases insulin sensitivity without increasing insulin release; and tamoxifen is not a glucose-lowering agent and isn’t associated with hypoglycemia.