Glimepiride is a medicine indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, characterized by the body’s resistance to insulin and increased blood sugar levels, as this medicine works by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, stabilizing blood sugar levels. .
This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of tablets in doses of 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg or 6 mg, with the trade name Amaryl, with the similar names Betes or Glycopirida, for example, or in generic form such as glimepiride, and should be used with medical indication and guidance.
Glimepiride can also be found associated with another substance, metformin, indicated to improve insulin sensitivity and cellular glucose absorption, enhancing the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
What is it for
Glimepiride is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-insulin dependent, when blood sugar levels are not adequately controlled with diet, exercise or weight loss.
For better effectiveness against diabetes, it is necessary to combine the use of glimepiride with a balanced diet and physical exercise. Find out what nutrition should be like in diabetes.
How to drink
Glimepiride should be taken orally, with half a glass of water, without breaking or chewing the tablet, at the times established by the doctor.
Generally, the recommended starting dose of glimepiride for adults is 1 mg per day. This dose can be increased by the doctor to up to 6 mg per day, gradually, at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks, according to the results of the blood glucose test.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with glimepiride are headache, dizziness, tiredness or nausea.
Furthermore, glimepiride can greatly reduce the amount of sugar in the blood and cause hypoglycemia which can be noticed through symptoms such as tremor, weakness, cold sweat, pale skin, blurred vision, heart palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, mental confusion, difficulty speaking, drowsiness.
Hypoglycemia can almost always be controlled by immediately ingesting sugar or glucose. However, when severe hypoglycemia occurs, which can lead to symptoms such as seizures, fainting or even coma, medical help should be sought immediately or the nearest emergency room should the person experience these symptoms. See how first aid for hypoglycemia is performed.
Who shouldn’t use
Glimepiride should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, people in a coma, or those who have conditions that cause variations in blood glucose such as trauma, surgery, febrile infections or severe burns.
Furthermore, glimepiride should not be used in cases of heart, liver or kidney disease, or by people who have a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).
