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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: Dosage In principle, the dosage of Glimepiride is governed by the desired blood sugar level. The dosage of Glimepiride must be the lowest which is sufficient to achieve the desired metabolic control. The initial and the maintenance doses are set based on the results of regular check of glucose in blood and urine. Monitoring of glucose levels in blood and urine also serves to detect either primary or secondary failure of therapy.Initial dose and dose titration: the usual initial dose is 1 mg once daily, if necessary, the daily dose can be increased. Any increase can be based on regular blood sugar monitoring, and should be gradual, i.e., at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks, and carried out stepwise, as follows: 1 mg -> 2 mg -> 3 mg -> 4 mg -> 6 mg. Dose in patients with well controlled diabetes: the usual dose range in patients with well controlled diabetes is 1 to 4 mg daily.Distribution of doses: Timing and distribution of doses are decided by the physician, in consideration of the patient's current life-style. Normally, a single daily dose is sufficient. This should be taken immediately before a substantial breakfast or if none is taken immediately before the first main meal. It is very important not to skip meals after taking the drug.Secondary dosage adjustment: As control of diabetes improves, sensitivity to insuiin increases; therefore, Glimepiride requirement may fall as treatment proceeds. To avoid hypoglycaemia, timely dose reduction or cessation of Glimepiride therapy must be considered. A dose adjustment must also be considered whenever the patient's weight or life-styie changes, or other factors arise which cause an increased susceptibility to hypo or hyperglycaemia.Changeover from other oral antidiabetics to Glimepiride: There is no exact dosage relationship between Glimepiride and other oral blood sugar lowering agents. When substituting Glimepiride for other such agents, the initial daily dose is 1 mg; this applies even in changeover from maximum dose of other oral blood sugar lowering agents. Any dose increase should be in accordance with guideline given above in 'initial dose and dose titration'. Consideration must be given to the potency and duration of action of the previous blood sugar lowering agent. It may be necessary to interrupt treatment to avoid additive effects which would increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.