Glimepiride

Glimepiride is a medium-to-long acting sulfonylurea anti-diabetic drug. It is marketed as Amaryl by Sanofi-Aventis. Glimepiride is the first third-generation sulfonylurea, and is very potent.

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Indications

Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).

Adverse effects

Main article: Sulfonylurea

GI disturbance, rarely thrombopenia , leucopenia, haemolytic anaemia, occasionally allergic. In the initial weeks of treatment, the risk of hypoglycemia may be increased.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to glimepiride or other sulfonylureas.

Interactions

With NSAIDs like Salicylates, Sulphoamides, Chlorampenicol, coumarin and probencid may potentiate the hypoglycemic action of glimepride. Thiazides, other diuretic, phothiazides, thyroid products, oral contraceptives, phenytoin tend to produce hyperglycemia.

Pharmacology

With Glimepiride GI absorption is complete with no interference of meals. Significant absorption of glimepiride was seen within one hour, and distributed through out the body, bound to the plasma protein to an extended of 99.5% and it is metabolised by oxidative biotransformation and 60% is excreted in the urine, and remaining is excreted in the feces.

Mechanism of action

Main article: Sulfonylurea

Glimepiride distinctly lower the blood glucose level by both defects of NIDDM, by stimulating pancreatic beta cells to produce more insulin and induced increased activity of peripheral insulin intra cellular receptor.