Glimepiride lowers blood sugar levels by stimulating the production of insulin by the pancreas and helping the body to use it efficiently.

What is Glimepiride?

Glimepiride is used to treat type 2 diabetes in combination with adequate food, physical activity and sometimes in conjunction with other drugs. It is not indicated for the treatment of diabetes type 1, nor in that of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

How should Glimepiride be taken?

Glimepiride is consumed orally in tablet form. Typically, you only need one dose per day, taken at breakfast or during the first main meal of the day. It is likely that your doctor will prescribe a low initial dose and then increase it gradually until the desired effectiveness.

Side effects associated with Glimepiride

Among the possible side effects of glimepiride are included:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

It is better to immediately contact a doctor if you experience:

  • jaundice
  • coloured stools
  • dark urine
  • pain in the upper right abdomen
  • bruise or bleeding
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • sore throat

Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Glimepiride

Glimepiride increases the sensitivity of the skin to sun. Therefore, during treatment you should reduce exposure to sunlight by using products like UV screens, sunglasses and clothing.

Infections, fever and other health issues may require adjustment of doses of medication taken.

Before you start taking glimepiride it is important to tell your doctor about:

  • allergies to the active substance, excipients or other drugs
  • medicines, herbal remedies and supplements taken, especially anticoagulants, aspirin and NSAIDs, diuretics, beta-blockers, disopyramide, chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, fluconazole, fluoxetine, HRT or hormonal contraceptives, insulin or other antidiabetic agents, isoniazid, MAO inhibitors, drugs against asthma or colds, psychotropic drugs, drugs against nausea, miconazole, niacin, oral steroids, phenytoin, probenecid, quinolone and fluoroquinolone, rifampin, Salicylates, sulfa antibiotics, sulfasalazine and thyroid medication.
  • If you suffer (or have suffered) a deficiency of G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), hormonal disorders involving the thyroid, pituitary or adrenal glands or heart, kidney or liver diseases.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You must also inform surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatments with glimepiride.