Glimepiride: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Glimepiride is a sulfonylurea medicine used with diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is commonly prescribed when additional glucose lowering is needed. Glimepiride requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and has been available as a generic medicine since 2005-10-06.

Glimepiride is indicated, alongside diet and exercise, to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps lower raised blood glucose as part of an overall diabetes treatment plan.

It is not indicated for type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis, because it would not be effective in those settings. The medicine is not recommended for paediatric patients because of adverse effects on body weight and the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Glimepiride belongs to the sulfonylurea class. Sulfonylureas act mainly by encouraging the pancreas to release more insulin. Insulin helps glucose move from the bloodstream into body tissues, lowering blood glucose levels.

This effect depends on functioning insulin-producing cells, so the medicine is used for type 2 diabetes rather than type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Because increased insulin release can lower blood glucose too far, hypoglycaemia is a clinically important possible effect. The glucose-lowering effect may also be altered by other medicines, alcohol, illness, food intake and changes in activity.

The label lists 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, and 8 mg tablets. The usual starting dose is 1 mg or 2 mg once daily. The label lists dose increases in 1 mg or 2 mg increments, based on glycaemic response, no more frequently than every 1 to 2 weeks.

The usual starting dose is 1 mg once daily for patients at increased risk of hypoglycaemia, including elderly patients and patients with renal impairment. The label lists administration with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg once daily.

Patients transferring from longer half-life sulfonylureas may have overlapping drug effects for 1 to 2 weeks and require monitoring for hypoglycaemia. When colesevelam is coadministered, the label lists administration of glimepiride at least 4 hours beforehand.

A missed dose can affect blood glucose control. General pharmacy advice is to follow the prescribed schedule and seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor if a dose is missed.

A double dose should not be used to compensate, because glimepiride can cause severe hypoglycaemia. Extra caution is needed if food intake is reduced, alcohol has been consumed, or other diabetes medicines are being used.

Available data from a small number of published studies and postmarketing experience have not identified drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal outcomes. Sulfonylureas cross the placenta and have been associated with neonatal hypoglycaemia, so the label states that glimepiride should be discontinued at least two weeks before expected delivery.

It is not known whether glimepiride is excreted in human milk. Breastfed infants should be monitored for symptoms of hypoglycaemia, and pregnancy or breastfeeding should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.

Store glimepiride at 20° to 25°C and protect it from unsuitable storage conditions. Keep the tablets in well-closed containers with safety closures to maintain quality. Follow the label and pharmacy instructions for storage, and keep medicines away from children.