DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Glimepiride is an oral
blood sugar-lowering drug in a class of medicines for controlling
diabetes called
sulfonylureas. Glimepiride is related to other sulfonylureas
including glyburide (Micronase; Diabeta), glipizide (Glucotrol),
tolbutamide (Orinase) and tolazamide (Tolinase).
Glimepiride
is used in type II diabetes, the most common type of diabetes that is found in
90% of patients with diabetes. In type II diabetes, insulin usually is not necessary to control the blood
sugar. Instead, diet and oral medications often are sufficient.
Intolerance to sugar that results in elevated blood sugar is caused
by reduced insulin secretion by the pancreas and resistance to
insulin's effects by the body's cells. Glimepiride lowers the sugar
level in the blood by stimulating insulin to be secreted from the
pancreas into the blood. Insulin causes sugar to leave the blood and
enter cells throughout the body.
Glimepiride was approved by the FDA in December of 1995.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 1mg, 2mg, 4mg.
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored below 86 F
(30 C).
PRESCRIBED FOR: It is believed that control of blood sugar
in people with diabetes decreases the risks of
eye,
kidney, and
nerve damage.
Glimepiride is used to treat type II diabetes that cannot be
controlled by a strict diabetes diet alone. If sulfonylureas are not
effective, other oral drugs or insulin may be used.
DOSING: Like other medicines used to treat diabetes, the
dose of glimepiride is individualized using periodic measurements of
blood sugar to
determine the best dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Medicines that can
increase blood sugar can reverse the action of glimepiride. These drugs include
diuretics [for example,
hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, Ezide, Hydro-Par, Microzide, and many combinations with other drugs), furosemide (Lasix)], corticosteroids such as
prednisone and
methylprednisolone (Medrol)], phenytoin (Dilantin),
niacin, and
sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).
Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin)
can cause
low or high blood sugar. Additionally, they can directly reverse the
sugar-lowering effect of sulfonylureas and render them less
effective. Beta-blockers also can blunt some of the body's protective
responses to low blood sugar, thus making it difficult for patients
to recognize reactions due to low blood sugar. This notwithstanding,
beta-blockers have been used successfully in patients with diabetes and
have been associated with improved survival in patients with diabetes with high
blood pressure.
Rifampin increases the breakdown of two other sulfonylureas,
tolbutamide (Orinase) and glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase). This might interfere
with the effects of the drugs and result in higher levels of sugar in
the blood. Although this same interference has not yet been reported
with glimepiride, the possibility that it may occur should be kept in
mind.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the nerves; this is related to the blood glucose of the body being too high for a long period of time. The four types of neuropathy include peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal.
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
A diabetic diet, or diabetes diet helps keep blood glucose levels in the target range for patients. Exercise and medication may also help stabilize blood glucose levels. Keeping track of when you take your diabetic medicine, keeping track of food choices, eating the proper amount of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and fats will also help maintain proper blood glucose levels.
Diabetes-related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
Diabetes and eye problems are generally caused by high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time. Types of eye problems in a person with diabetes include glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Examples of symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, eye aches, pain, halos around lights, loss of vision, watering eyes. Treatment for eye problems in people with diabetes depend on the type of eye problem. Prevention of eye problems include reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, and maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
In the United States diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. High blood pressure and high levels of blood glucose increase the risk that a person with diabetes will eventually progress to kidney failure. Kidney disease in people with diabetes develops over the course of many years. albumin and eGFR are two key markers for kidney disease in people with diabetes. Controlling high blood pressure, blood pressure medications, a moderate protein diet, and compliant management of blood glucose can slow the progression of kidney disease. For those patients who's kidneys eventually fail, dialysis or kidney transplantation is the only option.
Managing your diabetes is important. The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Information about exercise, diet diet, and medication will help you manage your diabetes better. Blood glucose reagent strips, blood glucose meters, urine glucose tests, tests for urinary ketones, continuous glucose sensors, and Hemoglobin A1C testing information is also provided in this article.
Taking care of a disease such as diabetes is a life-long process. Learn how to care for yourself or loved one with diabetes in situations such as illness, work, school, travel, or a natural disaster.
You can take good care of yourself and your
diabetes by learning
what to eat
how much to eat
when to eat
Making wise food choices can help you
feel good every day
lose weight if you need to
lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by
diabetes
Healthful eating helps keep your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, in
your target range. Physical activity and, if needed, diabetes medicines also
help. The diabetes target range is the blood glucose level suggested by diabetes
experts for good health. You can help prevent health problems by keeping your
blood glucose levels on target.
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