glimepiride at a glance
Medicine class
Sulphonylurea blood-glucose-lowering tablet
Main use
Type 2 diabetes not adequately controlled by lifestyle measures alone
Important risk
Can cause low blood sugar, particularly with missed meals, fasting, alcohol or interacting treatments
Administration
Swallow with liquid shortly before or during a meal; avoid skipping that meal
What is glimepiride used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet, physical exercise and weight reduction alone are inadequate.
How does glimepiride work?
Glimepiride closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells, promoting calcium entry and insulin release. Additional effects may improve peripheral insulin sensitivity and reduce liver glucose production.
glimepiride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg
How to take glimepiride
Follow the prescription and pack leaflet. Swallow the tablet with liquid shortly before or during a meal, and do not skip that meal.
Do not change treatment because glucose readings improve without discussing it with the prescriber.
Carry a fast-acting source of sugar and know how to recognise and manage a hypo.
glimepiride side effects
Common or expected effects
- The selected product information does not classify any adverse effect as common. Hypoglycaemia and weight gain are both listed as rare.
- Temporary visual disturbance can occur, particularly when treatment begins and glucose levels are changing.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort are reported very rarely.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or prolonged hypoglycaemia: confusion, abnormal behaviour, slurred speech, seizure or loss of consciousness.
- Serious allergy: breathing difficulty, marked swelling, falling blood pressure or shock.
- Liver injury: jaundice, dark urine or severe persistent abdominal symptoms.
- Blood-cell disorders: unexplained bruising, bleeding, fever, sore throat or marked pallor.
glimepiride in pregnancy
The selected UK product information states that glimepiride should not be used during pregnancy. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should promptly contact their diabetes team for review. Do not stop diabetes treatment without advice.
glimepiride while breastfeeding
The selected product information advises against breastfeeding during glimepiride treatment because transfer into human milk is unknown and infant hypoglycaemia is possible. Specialist or prescriber review is appropriate.
glimepiride interactions
Glimepiride has numerous clinically relevant interactions. Check new prescriptions, over-the-counter products and alcohol use with a pharmacist or prescriber.
Insulin and other glucose-lowering treatments
The combined glucose-lowering effect can increase hypoglycaemia risk.
Fluconazole or miconazole
These can increase glimepiride exposure and hypoglycaemia risk.
Rifampicin
It can reduce glimepiride's glucose-lowering effect and raise blood glucose.
Corticosteroids and thiazide diuretics
Common questions about glimepiride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is glimepiride insulin?
No. It is a sulphonylurea tablet that stimulates the pancreas to release more of the body's own insulin.
Can glimepiride cause low blood sugar?
Yes. Warning signs include hunger, sweating, shaking, dizziness, palpitations, blurred vision, irritability or confusion. Skipped meals, alcohol, strenuous activity and interacting treatments can increase the risk.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.