Glimepiride

Description

Glimepiride is a commonly prescribed medicine for people with type 2 diabetes.

It works by helping your pancreas release more insulin, which, in turn, lowers high blood sugar levels. Keeping your sugar levels in a healthy range is important to avoid symptoms such as excessive thirst, fatigue, and frequent urination. This medicine is usually taken once a day, preferably with breakfast or your first main meal. Taking it with food helps your body use it better and reduces the risk of your blood sugar dropping too low. Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you based on your sugar readings, age, and overall health. Along with Glimepiride, it’s important to follow a balanced diet and stay active. Medicines work best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits. Regular check-ups and sugar monitoring will help you and your doctor understand how well the treatment is working and if any changes are needed. Like all medicines, Glimepiride may cause some side effects. The most common one is low blood sugar, which can make you feel dizzy, shaky, hungry, or sweaty. Carrying a small sweet snack can help you manage such episodes quickly. If you notice any unusual symptoms or repeated low blood sugar, you should inform your doctor. With proper use, Glimepiride helps protect you from long-term complications of diabetes such as nerve damage, kidney problems, and vision issues. Taking your medicine regularly and making healthy choices can go a long way in keeping you well and improving your quality of life.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses

Glimepiride is used to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Contraindications

When should one not use Glimepiride

If you have an allergy to glimepiride or other sulfonylureas
Type 1 diabetes
A complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis
Severe kidney or liver disease

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Allergic reactions like breathing and swallowing difficulty, swelling of throat or tongue, rash
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, dark colored urine
Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or liver failure
Allergy of the skin such as itching, rash, hives and increased sensitivity to sun
Mild allergic reactions may develop into serious reactions
Severe low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia) including loss of consciousness, seizures or coma

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Glimepiride during pregnancy?

Glimepiride tablets should not be taken during pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Glimepiride while breastfeeding?

Glimepiride may pass into breast milk. Glimepiride should not be taken during breastfeeding. Because no information is available on the use of Glimepiride during breastfeeding, alternative medicine may be preferred. If you are on Glimepiride (prescribed by a physician), then monitor your breastfed baby for signs of low blood glucose levels such as irritability, sleepiness, poor feeding, fits, low body temperature.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Glimepiride?

Glimepiride can cause low blood sugar levels, which can lead to drowsiness, unconsciousness, confusion. These can be dangerous while driving. Consult your doctor whether you can drive a car if you have frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. Keep a juice or chocolate in the car close to you when driving, in case you start feeling any of the above symptoms of hypoglycemia, immediately have the juice or chocolate.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Glimepiride?

Be cautious not to consume alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol increases the risk of low blood sugar.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have G6PD deficiency; Glimepiride can cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells)
You have kidney disease
Low blood sugar - Glimepiride can reduce blood glucose, can lead to symptoms like extreme hunger, headache, nausea, vomiting, sluggishness, sleepiness, restlessness, aggression, reduced alertness and ...
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Risk factors for low blood glucose levels are missing your meals, excessive exercise, certain medicines, having more dose of Glimepiride than prescribed by your doctor, alcohol

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Insulin moves sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells. The cells then use it as fuel for energy. In Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t utilize insulin properly, so...

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Medicines used to treat pain and inflammation (Phenylbutazone, Azopropazone)
Medicines to treat diabetes mellitus (like Insulin or Metformin)
Blood thinner like Warfarin
Medicines used to control abnormal heartbeat
Medicines used to treat depression (Fluoxetine, MAO inhibitors)
Medicines used to treat gout (Allopurinol, Probenecid, Sulfinpyrazone)
Medicines used to treat cancer (Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide, Trofosfamide)
Medicines used to treat bacterial and fungal infections (Tetracyclines, Chloramphenicol, Fluconazole, Miconazole, Quinolones, Clarithromycin)
Medicines used to treat nasal allergies such as hay fever (Tritoqualine)
Medicines containing female sex hormones (oestrogens, progestogens)
Medicines used to treat high blood pressure called Thiazide Diuretics (water tablets)
Medicines used to treat allergies and inflammation (Glucocorticoids)
Medicines used to treat severe mental disorders (Chlorpromazine)
Medicines used to raise heartbeat, to treat asthma or nasal congestion, coughs, and colds
Medicines used to treat constipation
Medicines used to treat fits (Phenytoin)
Medicines used to treat high blood pressure or lowering blood sugar (Diazoxide)
Medicines used to treat infections, tuberculosis (Rifampicine)
Medicines used to treat increased pressure in the eye (Azetazolamide)

Interactions with food items

No information is available on interactions of Glimepiride when taken with food, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.

Dietary Restrictions

No information is available on dietary restrictions while you are taking Glimepiride, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Dosage

Overdose

Taking more of this medicine may lower your blood sugar levels, immediately consume some sugar or sugar-containing drink. If the person has fainted reach to the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

If you missed any dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take an extra dose of medicine to compe...

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Mahesh Muthe

MBBS

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

References

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Last Updated on: 20 Nov 2025 | 11:06 AM (IST)

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