Glimepiride is a tablet treatment that you take to help you with high blood sugar levels caused by type-2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medicines called sulfonylureas, which stimulate your pancreas to increase its insulin production.
Type-2 diabetes usually occurs in adulthood, and it’s the result of your body either being unable to produce as much insulin as it should, or your cells losing sensitivity to insulin - a key hormone for converting the sugar that you eat into energy. This leads to increased levels of sugar in your bloodstream (hyperglycemia), which can be bad for your long-term health.
How does Glimepiride work?
Sulfonylureas like Glimepiride work to lower your blood sugar levels by stimulating your pancreas to produce more insulin. They do this by binding to the beta cells on your pancreas, which closes the potassium channels. This then sets off a chain reaction that changes the cell’s electrical charge and calcium into the cell. This influx of calcium into your pancreas’ beta cells then triggers an increased secretion of insulin.
As a result of this increased level of insulin, your body will be better able to utilise the sugar that you eat and move it from your bloodstream to your cells.
What doses of Glimepiride are there?
Glimepiride comes in 1mg, 2mg, 3mg and 4mg doses. You’ll usually be advised to start on a low dose of Glimepiride to start out with, which might be increased depending on how you respond to it.
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How to take Glimepiride
You should always take Glimepiride exactly as prescribed by our clinician. To use Glimepiride:
swallow one tablet, whole, with water
take it with your first meal of the day (usually breakfast) or on another schedule that’s been agreed with our clinician
The amount that you take will depend on your condition, your needs and the advice of your clinician. The usual starting dose is to take one 1mg tablet, once a day. This may be increased after each 1-2 weeks of treatment if it’s needed, and the maximum recommended daily dose is 6mg.
How long does it take Glimepiride to work?
Glimepiride should get to work to reduce your blood sugar levels in 2-3 hours, though because diabetes is often symptomless, you aren’t likely to feel much different when you take it (but this doesn’t mean that it’s not working). It might also take a few weeks before you start to see an improvement in your HbA1c (the test of your average blood glucose for the last three months).
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Glimepiride?
If you accidentally take too much Glimepiride it can lead to hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous. As a result, you should take in some sugar and seek medical help and advice. If you forget your dose of Glimepiride, skip it and carry on as normal. Don’t double the dose to make up for a missed one.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Glimepiride
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Is Glimepiride similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
There are a few different treatments that fall within the sulfonylureas category, and you might find that different sulfonylureas medicines work better or worse for you. Each active ingredient within this group of medicines can differ in their dosage, absorption and the way that they’re metabolised.
There aren’t any branded equivalents of Glimepiride, this means that although there are other sulfonylurea treatments that you can get, there aren’t any other medicines that will work in quite the same way in the body as Glimepiride.
How is Glimepiride different from other type-2 diabetes treatments?
Answer:
Glimepiride belongs to a family of medications called sulfonylureas, which all have a similar mode of action to reduce your blood sugar levels, but there’s a range of other types of diabetes treatment that can lower your blood sugar levels in different ways. These include:
Metformin, which is typically the first type of treatment prescribed for type-2 diabetes
DPP-4 inhibitors
SGLT2 inhibitors
GLP-1 agonists
Insulin
Each type of treatment has a slightly different method of action, and it’s not uncommon for you to have to use a combination of two or more of these types of treatment. You’ll typically start on metformin if it’s suitable, before moving on to other treatments if it isn’t, or stops being, effective for you.
Do I need a prescription for Glimepiride?
Answer:
All treatments for type-2 diabetes need a prescription, and Glimepiride is no different. This is because diabetes treatments aren’t safe for you to use if you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, and your HbA1c levels will need to be monitored whilst you’re using it to make sure that it continues to be safe and suitable for you.
Why should I buy Glimepiride online with Treated?
Answer:
We’ll send your essential treatment to your door as and when you need it. Talk to us about your health, and we’ll recommend the best options for your needs. Once you’ve received your treatment you can contact us anytime you like with any questions or concerns that you might have, and when your prescription is due to expire we’ll send you a handy reminder. So you won’t have to worry about running out of the treatment you need.
We know that finding a diabetes treatment and plan that works for you can be frustrating, but our expert team is on hand with proven treatments and tailored advice to help you live the life that you want to.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
