Product Description

Glimepiride Tablets IP 2 mg belongs to the class of antidiabetic medications called sulfonylureas, used to control high blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM).

T2DM occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to elevated glucose, especially post-meals.

Glimepiride stimulates insulin release from beta cells in the pancreas, helping cells absorb glucose for energy. It is used as an adjunct to diet, exercise, and weight management; it can be monotherapy or combined with other oral antidiabetics (e.g., metformin) or insulin. It does not cure diabetes and requires lifelong management to prevent complications like neuropathy or cardiovascular disease. Not for Type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), or gestational diabetes.

Avoid if you have Type 1 DM, DKA, sulfa allergy, or severe kidney/liver disease. Baseline HbA1c and renal function tests are recommended.

Uses

Glimepiride 2 mg Tablets IP are indicated for:

• Adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise for glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (monotherapy or in combination with metformin, pioglitazone, or insulin)

• Management of postprandial hyperglycemia in stable T2DM patients

Not for Type 1 diabetes, DKA, or as initial therapy in uncontrolled cases (start with lifestyle/metformin per ADA). Target HbA1c <7% with monitoring every 3–6 months.

How it works

Glimepiride 2 mg Tablets contain glimepiride, a sulfonylurea that binds to the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channels on pancreatic beta cells.

This closes the K-ATP channels, depolarizing the cell membrane and opening voltage-gated calcium channels. The influx of calcium triggers insulin exocytosis (release) from beta cells, independent of glucose levels.

The secreted insulin then promotes glucose uptake into peripheral tissues (e.g., muscle, fat) via GLUT4 transporters and inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis, lowering blood glucose.
It is more potent and longer-acting (t½ 5–9 hours) than first-generation sulfonylureas, with lower hypoglycemia risk, but efficacy diminishes over time due to beta-cell exhaustion.

Benefits

Glimepiride 2 mg Tablets effectively lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose (by 1–2% HbA1c reduction in trials) in Type 2 diabetes when combined with diet and exercise, reducing risks of microvascular complications (e.g., retinopathy). It is once-daily, well-tolerated for long-term use, and suitable for combination therapy (e.g., with metformin to minimize weight gain). Enhancing insulin secretion it improves glycemic control without the injection burden of insulin, supporting better quality of life and adherence in adults.

How to use

Glimepiride Tablets dose: Swallow it as a whole with water; do not crush, break, or chew it.

Side Effects

Most side effects are related to hypoglycemia or GI effects and are dose-dependent. Common side effects (affecting 1–10% of patients) include:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar: shakiness, sweating, hunger, dizziness, confusion—treat with fast-acting carbs like juice or glucose tablets)

• Headache

• Nausea or upset stomach

• Weight gain (2–3 kg average)

Less common but notable side effects:

• Allergic reactions (rash, itching)

• Dizziness or drop in blood pressure (hypotension)

Safety Advice

• Alcohol: Avoid or limit alcohol, as it can unpredictably potentiate hypoglycemia (e.g., disulfiram-like reaction) or cause hyperglycemia (e.g., in binge drinking), leading to dangerous fluctuations.

• Pregnancy: Category C (crosses placenta; animal studies show fetal skeletal anomalies; human data limited—increased hypoglycemia risk to newborn). Stop at least 2 weeks before delivery; switch to insulin (preferred for glycemic control). Consult your doctor if planning pregnancy—effective contraception advised.

• Breastfeeding: Avoid, as glimepiride passes into breast milk and may cause infant hypoglycemia. Use insulin or metformin alternatives; monitor if unavoidable.

• Driving/Operating Machinery: Hypoglycemia may impair alertness; do not drive until stable (e.g., after meals) and carry glucose sources. Inform DVLA/MVD if frequent hypos.

Storage Conditions

• Store at a temperature below 30°C (86°F), in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and excessive moisture.

FAQs

Is Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg safe with warfarin (blood thinner) if taken by a heart stroke patient?

Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg is not recommended with warfarin as these two drugs are contraindicated with each other and hence may result in any harmful symptoms when taken together in heart patients.

In which conditions should I avoid the intake of Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg?

Avoid intake of Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg and consult a doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart disease, liver or kidney disease, or an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).

How should I handle symptoms of low blood sugar level after taking Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg?

Your blood sugar might decrease, so regular blood glucose monitoring is required. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar level are feeling very hungry, dizziness, irritability, confusion, anxiety, or shakiness. Try to eat or drink a fast-acting sugar source (like fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Is Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg also recommended for type 1 diabetes?

No, Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg is only prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and not type 1 diabetes. If you are a type 1 diabetic patient, consult with a doctor so that insulin forms can be prescribed for the same.

Is Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg safe with oral contraceptives?

The patient is advised to talk to a doctor before taking contraceptive pills if he/she is already taking Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg; then the doctor may change the dose of Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg. This is because oral contraceptive pills change the body's response to sugar.

Who should not take Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg?

If you are allergic to Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg, have severe liver or kidney disease, G6PD-deficiency (an inherited condition affecting red blood cells), type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes), or are about to undergo surgery, avoid taking Glimepiride Tablets IP 2mg. Additionally, patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to conceive, should also avoid taking Glimepiride Tablets IP 1mg.