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Community data Updated 2 months ago

Glimepiride

Sulfonylureas Prescription
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Indications

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus

Glims tablet is used for the following conditions. It is given alongside diet and exercise to lower blood glucose in patients with non-insulin-dependent (Type II) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) whose high blood sugar cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Glims may be used together with metformin when diet, exercise, and either drug alone fail to give adequate blood sugar control. Glims can also be combined with insulin to lower blood glucose in patients whose high blood sugar is not controlled by diet, exercise, and an oral hypoglycaemic agent together. Using Glims with insulin may raise the risk of hypoglycaemia.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Glimepiride is a sulfonylurea antidiabetic agent that lowers blood glucose concentration. Its primary mechanism of action appears to depend on stimulating insulin release from functioning pancreatic beta cells. Glimepiride works together with glucose by improving the sensitivity of beta cells to the body's natural glucose stimulus, which leads to insulin secretion. Extrapancreatic effects, such as reduced basal hepatic glucose production and increased peripheral tissue sensitivity to insulin and glucose uptake, may also contribute to Glimepiride's activity. In non-fasting diabetic patients, the blood glucose-lowering effect of a single dose of Glimepiride lasts for 24 hours.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Glimepiride must not be taken during pregnancy; switching to insulin is necessary. Patients who are planning a pregnancy should inform their physician and switch over to insulin. Glimepiride can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing child. For this reason, breastfeeding women must not take Glimepiride; either the mother should switch to insulin, or breastfeeding should be stopped entirely.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: In principle, the dose of Glimepiride depends on the blood sugar level you are aiming for. It must be the lowest dose that is enough to reach the desired metabolic control. Both the starting dose and the maintenance dose are set from regular checks of glucose in blood and urine. These checks also help detect primary or secondary failure of therapy. Initial dose and dose titration The usual starting dose is 1 mg once daily. If needed, the daily dose can be increased. Any increase should be based on regular blood sugar monitoring and made gradually, at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks, in these steps: 1 mg -> 2 mg -> 3 mg -> 4 mg -> 6 mg. Dose in patients with well controlled diabetes The usual range for patients whose diabetes is well controlled is 1 to 4 mg daily. Distribution of doses The physician decides the timing and distribution of doses, taking the patient's current life-style into account. A single daily dose is normally enough. Take it immediately before a substantial breakfast, or, if no breakfast is taken, immediately before the first main meal. It is very important not to skip meals after taking the medicine. Secondary dosage adjustment As diabetes control improves, sensitivity to insulin rises, so the Glimepiride requirement may fall as treatment goes on. To avoid hypoglycaemia, a timely dose reduction or stopping Glimepiride must be considered. A dose adjustment should also be considered whenever the patient's weight or life-style changes, or when other factors make the patient more prone to hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Changeover from other oral antidiabetics to Glimepiride There is no exact dose relationship between Glimepiride and other oral blood sugar lowering agents. When Glimepiride replaces one of them, the starting daily dose is 1 mg. This holds even when the patient was on the maximum dose of the other agent. Any later increase should follow the guideline given above under initial dose and dose titration. The potency and duration of action of the previous agent must be considered. It may be necessary to interrupt treatment to avoid additive effects, which would raise the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.