Glimepiride

Brand Name: Amaryl

Generic Name: glimepiride

Drug Class: Minerals, Other

What Is Glimepiride and How Does It Work?

Glimepiride is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used with other diabetes medications. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Glimepiride belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. It lowers blood sugar by causing the release of your body's natural insulin.

Glimepiride is available under the following different brand names: Amaryl.

Dosages of Glimepiride:

Strength expressed as glimepiride ion.

Tablet

• 1 mg
• 2 mg
• 4 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Adult Dosage:

• Initial: 1-2 mg orally each morning after breakfast or with first meal; may increase dose by 1-2 mg every 1-2 weeks; not to exceed 8 mg/day
• Conversion from other oral hypoglycemic agents:
• Observe patients carefully for 1-2 weeks when being converted from long half-life sulfonylureas to glimepiride, because of potential for overlapping of hypoglycemic effects

Dosing considerations

• Use in monotherapy or, if glycemic response to glimepiride is inadequate at maximum dose, with insulin or metformin

Geriatric Dosage:

• Prolonged hypoglycemia reported with use; titrate dose conservatively; monitor for hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic symptoms
• 1 mg orally once per day; titrate dose at weekly intervals to avoid hypoglycemia

Osteoporosis (off-label)

• 30-100 mg sodium glimepiride/day orally

Pediatric Dosage:

• Safety and efficacy not established

Dosing Modifications

• Renal impairment: 1 mg orally once daily; titrate dose based on fasting blood glucose levels
• Hepatic impairment: Not studied; not recommended in severe impairment; initiate therapy with 1 mg orally per day and titrate carefully