Final answer:
The symptoms described after an accidental extra dose of glipizide in a patient with Type 2 diabetes suggest hypoglycemia, which is a condition of low blood glucose levels caused by an oversecretion of insulin.
Step-by-step explanation:
A 50-year-old male with Type 2 diabetes who is taking glipizide, which belongs to the sulfonylurea class of drugs, accidentally took a second dose and developed symptoms of irritability, tremors, tachycardia, and lightheadedness. The symptoms that the patient is experiencing due to the drug overdose are indicative of hypoglycemia. This is a condition characterized by low blood glucose levels, which can result from an oversecretion of insulin, leading to insufficient glucose availability to cells.
Sulfonylureas such as glipizide stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Overdose of sulfonylureas can cause significant drops in blood sugar levels, hence hypoglycemia is a major side effect when too much of the medication is taken. The patient should seek immediate medical attention to manage these symptoms and prevent any potential complications such as unconsciousness or even death.