About
TabletWise.com
Account
 

Glimepiride

Why it's used

Glimepiride is a prescription medicine that is used to treat high blood sugar level due to insulin resistance (also called, type 2 diabetes mellitus). This medicine works by lowering the blood glucose level through activating the release of insulin from the pancreas.
When not to use
Glimepiride should not be used to treat high blood sugar level due to the absence of insulin production (type 1 diabetes mellitus). Glimepiride should not be used to prevent patients with high levels of glucose and ketones in the blood (diabetic ketoacidosis).
Sulfonylurea
Glimepiride belongs to the Sulfonylurea class of medicines. Sulfonylureas are a class of antidiabetic drugs used in the management of diabetes mellitus type 2. These medicines act by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas.

Get TabletWise Pro

Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.

How to use

Read the medicine guide provided by your pharmacist, your doctor, or the medicine company. If you have any questions related to Glimepiride, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Use Glimepiride as per the instructions provided by your doctor.
You should keep track of your blood sugar levels regularly. Share your results with the doctor and discuss your treatment plan if your measurements are abnormally high or low
Glimepiride is eaten with food. Take this medicine with breakfast or with the first meal of the day. Do not leave any meal when you are on Glimepiride tablets. Swallow Glimepiride tablets whole with at least half glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets.

Typical Dosage

The typical dose of Glimepiride for adults is 1-2 mg once daily. The maximum dose for adult patients of Glimepiride is 8 mg once daily per day. Glimepiride is commonly used at the same time every day. This medicine is not known to be addictive or habit-forming.
Glimepiride should be used as directed by the doctor even if you feel well, or even if you think that there is no need for you to use your medicine.
If you have any kidney disease, a starting dose of 1 mg daily is prescribed for patients with high blood sugar and kidney failure to reduce the risk of low blood sugar. Consult with your doctor before stopping the use of Glimepiride.
Your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose of this medicine to understand the impact on the body. Please follow your doctor's recommendations. Taking a higher dose of this medicine may increase the risk of side-effects. A lower dose of this medicine may be recommended to reduce the risk of side-effects. Older patients may see an increase in the incidence of side-effects. As a result, a lower dose may be recommended for older patients.

Use in Children

The safety and effectiveness of using Glimepiride in children has not been established. Glimepiride is not recommended for use in children because of its harmful effects on body weight and low blood sugar levels.

Limit Alcohol

Limit drinking alcohol with Glimepiride.

Lab Tests

Your doctor may request that specific lab tests be performed before you start using Glimepiride. Your doctor may ask you to undergo Blood Glucose test. This test is needed to monitor the levels of glucose in blood cells. Your doctor may request Glucose in Urine test. This test is needed to monitor the levels of glucose in the urine. Your doctor may request Alanine Transaminase Blood test.
Medicines may be recommended for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. You should not use Glimepiride for conditions or symptoms for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Glimepiride to other people, even if they have the same conditions or symptoms that you have. The use of this medicine without the advice of a doctor may cause harm.

Storage

Follow storage instructions on the product package if available. Store Glimepiride at room temperature 20 –25ºC (68 –77ºF), and away from moisture. Store this medicine away from children and pets.

Get TabletWise Pro

Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.

How to take Glimepiride

Your dose may depend on several personal factors. You should consult with your doctor to find out the dose that is best for you. The dose of Glimepiride depends on the following factors:
  • patient's weight
  • patient's health
  • the health of the patient's liver
  • medicines recommended by your doctor
  • any other medicines in use
  • herbal supplements consumed
  • response to treatment

Glimepiride Dosage

Dosage for high blood sugar due to insulin resistance

Adult
  • Recommended: 1-2 mg once daily
  • Initial: 1 mg once daily
  • Maximum: 8 mg once daily
Older Adults
  • Initial: 1 mg once daily

Minimum Age

18 years

Forms

Tablet
Strength: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg

Missed Dose

A missed dose should be taken as early as you remember it. However, if the time for the next dose is almost there, then the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be continued. Avoid taking a repeated dose to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Glimepiride?
If you have taken more than the recommended dose of Glimepiride, get medical advice immediately. Hospitalization may be required for a overdose. The treatment primarily consists of preventing absorption by inducing vomiting, cleaning out the toxic substances of the stomach (gastric lavage), and then drinking water or lemon juice with a stool softener (sodium sulfate) and activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a substance that absorbs poisons from the stomach and intestine. In case of massive drug overdose, take the glucose as soon as possible with strict monitoring of blood glucose.
Symptoms of an overdose of Glimepiride
If you use too much of this medicine, it could lead to dangerous levels of the medicine in your body. In such cases, symptoms of an overdose may include:
If you think you have overdosed on Glimepiride, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Glimepiride

Before you use Glimepiride, tell your doctor of your medical and health history including the following:
  • allergic reaction to sulfonamide derivatives and other sulfonylureas
  • coma due to high blood sugar level (diabetic coma)
  • high blood sugar level due to the absence of insulin production (type 1 diabetes mellitus)
  • high levels of glucose and ketones in the blood (diabetic ketoacidosis)
  • severe kidney disease
  • severe liver disease
Before you use Glimepiride, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Tell your doctor if you are allergic any of the following substances: sulfonamide derivatives, or other sulfonylureas.
Before having surgery during the use of Glimepiride, discuss with your doctor and dentist about the medicinal products you use including prescription/non-prescription/herbal medicines.
The use of Glimepiride may change sodium level. Use of this medicine may decrease the sodium level in the blood.
The use of this medicine may change liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase). Use of this medicine may increase the level of the liver enzyme.

Seizures

Glimepiride can make you feel sleepy. Be careful when using any machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing any other activity that needs you to be fully alert. The consumption of alcohol with Glimepiride can worsen the sleepiness. Glimepiride may cause rarely seizures in some people. If you perform any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you (or others), you should discuss with your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy

The use of Glimepiride is known to be not safe for use in pregnant women. If you are planning to become pregnant or are currently pregnant, you should discuss with your doctor the potential impact of this medicine on the baby before you start to using it.

Use while Breastfeeding

Consult with your doctor on the use of Glimepiride during breastfeeding. This medicine may pass into breast milk.

Use while Conceiving

Consult with your doctor on the use of Glimepiride, if you are trying to conceive.

Alcohol

Limit drinking alcohol with Glimepiride. Drinking alcohol may cause may increase or weaken the glucose-lowering effect of Glimepiride.

Increased Risks

This medicine may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. If this happens, use a sunscreen and cover your skin when you are outdoors. Limit your time in the sun.

Side-effects in Older Patients

Glimepiride may cause increased incidence of side-effects in older patients. Elderly patients may see an increased risk of low sugar level, and abnormal functioning of kidneys.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Glimepiride to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Contraindicated or Not Recommended
Warning: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies are present which proves the risk of Glimepiride to pregnant women and fetus.

Breastfeeding

Precaution
Warning: Consult with the doctor before using this medicine while breastfeeding.

Younger Adults Population

Contraindicated or Not Recommended
Warning: Use of this medicine may have side effects on body weight and lead to severe conditions of low blood glucose levels.

Older Adults Population

Precaution
Warning: Use of this medicine may lead to abnormal functioning of the kidney and low blood glucose levels. Take necessary precautions while starting the treatment by increasing the dose.

Glimepiride Side-effects

The following side-effects may commonly occur when using Glimepiride. If any of these side-effects worsen or last for a long time, you should consult with your doctor:
Rarely, the use of Glimepiride may cause the following side-effects:
  • allergic reaction to alcohol (disulfiram-like reactions)
  • build-up of red blood cell proteins in the body (Porphyria cutanea tarda)
  • deficiency of certain liver enzymes (liver porphyria reactions)
  • gas or fluid buildup in the stomach
  • hives
  • increase level of antidiuretic hormone in the blood
  • rash
  • redness of the skin
  • respiratory infection (Flu Syndrome)
  • severe skin itching
  • stomach discomfort
  • stomach pain
  • visual disturbances
  • weight gain
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Glimepiride:
  • Immune system disorders
    Symptoms: inflammation of the small blood vessels (leukocytoclastic vasculitis), difficulty in breathing, fall in blood pressure shock
  • Liver disorders
    Symptoms: reduce bile flow from the liver, jaundice, inflammation of the liver liver failure
  • Blood and lymphatic system disorder
    Symptoms: low levels of leukocytes in the blood, low levels of thrombocytes in the blood, deficiency of granulocytes in the blood, decreased number of erythrocytes in the blood, deficiency of red blood cells, decreased number of red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood, low levels of sodium in the blood decreased production of red blood cells
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
    Symptoms: vomiting diarrhea
    If these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of Glimepiride.
  • Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
    Symptoms: life-threatening allergic reaction, swelling of the lower layer of the skin, severe skin reaction increased sensitivity to the sun
Your doctor has prescribed Glimepiride because they judge that the benefit is greater than the risk posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This page does not list all possible side-effects of Glimepiride.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Glimepiride by Severity and Frequency

Common Side-effects

Following are the common side-effects of this medicine:

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Mild Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of mild allergic reactions to this medicine:

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue the use of Glimepiride.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Severe Low Blood Sugar Level

Patients with severe low blood sugar level are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Such patients may have an increased risk of loss of consciousness or convulsions and may result in temporary or permanent abnormality in the functioning of the brain or can be possibly fatal. Use necessary precautions while starting and increasing the dose of Glimepiride in elderly patients, patients with abnormal functioning of the kidneys and in patients who are on other anti-diabetic medicines.

Allergy to Glimepiride

Patients who are allergic to Glimepiride are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Glimepiride can cause allergic reactions including life-threatening allergic reaction, swelling of the lower layer of the skin, severe skin reaction (called, stevens-johnson syndrome). If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue the use of Glimepiride, and alternative treatment for low blood sugar level should be taken.

Enzyme (Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) Deficiency

Patients with enzyme (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency are at an increased risk when using sulfonylureas. Use of sulfonylureas can cause red blood cells deficiency in these patients. Precaution should be taken in patients with enzyme (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency and use of non-sulfonylurea should be considered.

Inherited Disorders

Patients with inherited disorders such as reduced or absent activity of lactase (galactose intolerance), enzyme (Lapp lactase) deficiency or defect in glucose and galactose transport across the intestinal are at increased risk while using this medicine. The use of this medicine is avoided in patients with lactose intolerance as it contains lactose monohydrate.

Alterations in Diet in Patients Using Glimepiride

When meals are taken at the irregular interval or skipped altogether, treatment with Glimepiride may increase the risk of low blood sugar levels. This medicine cause headache, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, aggressiveness, depression, alertness and reaction time, confusion, speech and visual disorders, speech problems, tremor, muscular weakness, sensory disturbances, dizziness, helplessness, loss of self-control, disturbance in mental abilities, convulsions, sleeplessness, slow heart rate, sweating, decreased or increased heartbeat, clammy skin, anxiety, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, palpitation, and chest pain. Glimepiride should be taken shortly before or during a meal.

Abnormal Functioning of the Kidney

Such patients are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Use of Glimepiride can cause low blood sugar level in these patients. Use of insulin is indicated in patients with abnormal functioning of the kidneys.

Severe Abnormal Functioning of the Liver

Patients with severe abnormal functioning of the liver are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Use of Glimepiride can cause low blood sugar level in these patients. Regular monitoring of liver and blood parameters such as leucocytes and thrombocytes are required during treatment with Glimepiride tablets.

Interactions with Glimepiride

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Glimepiride. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

CYP2C9 Inducers

Glimepiride may interact with CYP2C9 inducers such as rifampicin, which is used to treat bacterial infections. The combined use of Glimepiride and CYP2C9 inducers may decrease the levels of Glimepiride in the blood which may lead to worsening of the glucose levels.

CYP2C9 Inhibitors

There may be an interaction of Glimepiride with CYP2C9 inhibitors such as fluconazole, which is used to treat fungal infections. When Glimepiride is used with CYP2C9 inhibitors may increase the levels of Glimepiride in the blood which may lead to low blood sugar levels.

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Glimepiride interacts with Bile Acid Sequestrant such as colesevelam, which is used to treat high cholestrol levels. The combined use of Glimepiride and colesevelam may lower the levels of Glimepiride in the blood. The Glimepiride should be taken 4 hours before the use of colesevelam.

Anti-diabetic Agents

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Anti-diabetic Agents (pramlintide acetate, insulin, metformin) which are used to lower the blood glucose levels. The combined use of sulphonylureas and other anti-diabetic agents may increase the risk of the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas. Proper dose adjustment and close monitoring are required to prevent the worsening conditions of low blood glucose levels.

Antifungal Agent

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Antifungal Agent such as miconazole, which is used to treat yeast infection. When Glimepiride is used with miconazole may cause severe low blood sugar levels.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Glimepiride may interact with Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenylbutazone, propoxyphene, azapropazone, oxyfenbutazone, anabolic steroids or male sex hormones, somatostatin analogs, which are used to treat pain, fever, inflammation, hormonal problems and cancer. The combined use of these drugs with Glimepiride may increase the blood glucose lowering effect of Glimepiride.

MAO Inhibitors And Anti-Gout Agents

There may be an interaction of Glimepiride with MAO-inhibitors, propoxyphene,fluoxetine, allopurinol, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, cyclophosphamide, trophosphamide, iphosphamides, pentoxifylline, tritoqualine, phenyramidol which are used to treat pain, depression, painful swelling of joints, cancer, muscle pain due to narrowing of blood vessels, allergy, body rashes and muscle pain. The combined use of these drugs with Glimepiride increase the blood glucose lowering effect of Glimepiride. Proper dose adjustment and close monitoring are required to prevent the worsening conditions of low blood glucose levels.

Antibiotics

Glimepiride interacts with sulfonamides, tetracyclines, quinolone antibiotics, clarithromycin, chloramphenicol, para-aminosalicylic acid which are used to treat bacterial infections. The combined use of Glimepiride and these drugs may increase the risk of the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas.

Anticoagulants

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Anticoagulants such as coumarins, which are used to prolong the time it takes for the blood to clot and H2 receptor antagonists, which are used to treat stomach ulcers. Use of Glimepiride with anticoagulants and H2 antagonists may lead to either increase or decrease in the blood-glucose-lowering effect.

Anti-obesity, Antiarrhythmic, And Antihypertensive Agents

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with fenfluramine, disopyramide, fibrates, ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat heart diseases, high blood pressure and obesity. When Glimepiride is used with these medicines may lead to an increase in the blood glucose lowering effect. Proper monitoring of low blood sugar levels is required in such patients.

Sympatholytic Drugs

Glimepiride may interact with Sympatholytic Drugs such as beta-blockers, guanethidine, clonidine and reserpine, which are used to treat high blood pressure, and abnormal heartbeat. Use of Glimepiride with sympatholytic drugs may lead to either increase or decrease in the blood-glucose-lowering effect. Proper monitoring of these patients is required to prevent the worsening of glucose levels in the blood.

Oral Contraceptives And Thyroid Agents

There may be an interaction of Glimepiride with oestrogens and progestogens, thyroid hormones, somatropin, corticosteroids, danazol, oral contraceptives, which are used to treat improper menstrual periods, insufficient release of thyroid hormone and to prevent prenancy. The combined use of Glimepiride with these medicines may reduce the blood-glucose-lowering effect.

Antipsychotic Medicines

Glimepiride interacts with Antipsychotic Medicines (olanzapine, clozapine, phenothiazines, chlorpromazine), barbiturates, phenytoin, which are used to treat mental illness, anxiety and epilepsy. When Glimepiride is used with these medicines may worsen the glucose levels in the blood due to reduced glucose-lowering effects. Proper monitoring of these patients is required to prevent the worsening of glucose levels in the blood.

Nicotinic Acid And Its Derivatives

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with nicotinic acid and its derivatives, sympathomimetics (adrenaline, albuterol, terbutaline), acetazolamide, saluretics, which are used to treat vitamin deficiency, low blood pressure, eye problem, fluid build up. The combined use of Glimepiride with these medicines may reduce the blood-glucose-lowering effect and increases the blood glucose levels. Closely monitor these patients to prevent the worsening of glucose levels in the blood.

Thiazides And Other Diuretics

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with thiazides and other diuretics, glucagon, laxatives, protease inhibitors, isoniazid which are used to treat high blood pressure, low blood sugar level, constipation viral and bacterial infection. The combined use of Glimepiride with these medicines may decrease the blood-glucose-lowering effect and increases the blood glucose levels. Proper monitoring of these patients is required to prevent the worsening of glucose levels in the blood.

Interactions of Glimepiride by Severity

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Glimepiride be not used?

Allergic to Glimepiride

This medicine should not be used in patients who are allergic to it. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:
  • life-threathening allergic reaction
  • swelling of the lower layer of the skin
  • severe skin reaction
  • difficulty in breathing
  • increased sensitivity to sun
  • severe skin itching
  • skin rash
  • hives

Allergic To Sulfonamide Derivatives

This medicine should not be used in patients who are allergic to it.

Coma Due to High Blood Sugar

This medicine should not be used in patients suffering from the diabetic coma.

Insulin-dependent High Blood Sugar

This medicine should not be used in patients with insulin-dependent high blood sugar levels.

Severe Kidney or Liver Function Disorder

This medicine should not be used in such patients.

High Glucose And Ketones Levels In The Blood

This medicine should not be used in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Brands

Following are the top brand names of Glimepiride in countries around the world:

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Glimepiride is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Glimepiride .

Related Topics

Learn More

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are ...
 

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood ...
 

Preventing Diabetes Problems

If you have diabetes, your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels ...
 

Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are ...
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes
Preventing Diabetes Problems
Type 1 Diabetes
Business
Creative
Software
Health
Academics

Sign Up



Share

Share with friends, get 20% off
Invite your friends to TabletWise learning marketplace. For each purchase they make, you get 20% off (upto $10) on your next purchase.