Treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus involves glimepiride. Glimepiride is a second-generation sulfonylurea that revives pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin. When it comes to managing type 1 diabetes, it is not very helpful.
Introduction to Glimepiride
An oral medication called glimepiride is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Glimepiride helps lower blood glucose levels by vitalizing the pancreas to secret more amount of insulin and improving the body’s response to insulin.
What is the Mechanism of Action of Glimepiride?
Glimepiride is a tablet used for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. It works mainly through a few principles:
It targets specific receptors on the pancreatic beta cells leading to the closure of potassium channels. This process causes the cell to destablize which unlocks calcium channels. The rise in calcium levels then stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin.
Glimepiride can enhance how effectively the body organ reacts to insulin, helping it soak up glucose better.
The medication is also useful in lowering the amount of glucose in the liver helping to lower sugar levels.
Glimepiride helps lower blood sugar by boosting insulin secretion and improving the patient’s ability to use insulin effectively.
Glimepiride Dosage
Is glimepiride be taken once a day?
Glimepiride is administered via the oral route of administration. There is only one dosage form available for glimepiride which is a tablet. The dose of glimepiride varies from patient to patient. Age, sex, weight, locality, and race are usually determining factors. The average doses are as follows:
For adults, 1 to 4 per day
Children’s dosages are always different and should be decided by their specialist or main care physician.
What is the best time to take glimepiride?
The most advantageous time to take glimepiride is usually early in the morning after breakfast. This helps to increase its effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Combinations
Glimepiride is often combined with other anti-diabetic drugs to get the best results. Based on the requirements of patients there are various strengths of glimepiride combination available in the market. Some of them are as follows:
- Glimepiride 0.5 mg + metformin 500 mg
- Glimepiride 0.5 mg + metformin 1000 mg
- Glimepiride 1 mg + metformin 500 mg
- Glimepiride 1 mg + metformin 850 mg
- Glimepiride 2 mg + metformin 1000 mg
- Glimepiride 3 mg + metformin 1000 mg
- Glimepiride 4 mg + metformin 1000 mg
- Glimepiride + Metformin + Pioglitazone
- Glimepiride + Pioglitazone
Uses of Glimepiride
Glimepiride is used to control blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially when eating habits change and physical exercise alone is not that sufficient.
It is often prescribed alongside lifestyle changes to enhance blood glucose control.
Glimepiride can be used in combination with other diabetes medications, including metformin, to improve overall glycemic control.
For managing blood sugar levels, glimepiride helps reduce the risk of co-morbid conditions associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as cardiovascular diseases and nerve damage.
What are the side effects of glimepiride?
While there are a lesser number of side effects of glimepiride, some patients may experience are as follows:
Interactions
What to avoid when taking glimepiride?
You need to take care of it before starting Glimepiride if you are taking steroid tablets like prednisolone.
Try to avoid taking it with medicine that treats hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
It can react with medicines that are used in the treatment of fungus such as fluconazole and miconazole.
Glimepiride also interacts with some painkillers which can cause hypoglycemia.
Brand Names
| Sr no | Brand name | Company | Price |
| 1 | Amaryl | Sanofi India Ltd | ₹194.54 |
| 2 | Glimda 2 | Cipla Ltd | ₹64.96 |
| 3 | Dailyglim-2 | Leeford Healthcare Ltd | ₹49.8 |
| 4 | Glimed 2 | Knoll Pharmaceuticals Ltd | ₹57.2 |
| 5 | GP 2 | USV Ltd | ₹64.96 |
| 6 | Zoryl 2 | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | ₹97.39 |
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