Glimepiride Medicine: The Second Line Anti-Diabetic

India is the Diabetes Capital of the world!
A survey reported that today, India has more than 50 million people with diabetes and millions of them die every year due to lack of awareness regarding the management and treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Both Lifestyle modifications and anti-diabetic drugs are equally important for the management of diabetes, here we present one of the potent oral anti-diabetic medications used for the management of type 2 DM.
Glimepiride is the second line anti-diabetic drug for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Before going in detail about glimepiride let us enlighten you in brief about DM.

So let’s get started;

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which blood glucose/sugar level increases. Glucose is a vital nutrient required by the body for energy and proper functioning of other organs.

In diabetes mellitus, the beta cells of the pancreas are not able to produce insulin (a hormone that regulates the peripheral uptake of glucose) or the body is unable to utilize the insulin
.
Diabetes mellitus is classified into two types-
1. Type 1 diabetes: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, a condition when the body is unable to produce insulin.
2. Type 2 diabetes: Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and occur when the body produces less insulin or unable to use insulin properly due to obesity (insulin resistance). It is the most common form of diabetes.
Anti-diabetic drugs are essential for the management of DM. One of the classes of anti-diabetic drugs is Sulfonylurea (SU).

Sulfonylurea (SU)
Sulfonylureas are widely prescribed as a second line anti-diabetic drug for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sulfonylureas are the insulin secretagogues and act mainly by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells and also increases the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin.
The most widely prefered sulfonylureas are glimepiride.

Glimepiride
Glimepiride is an insulin secretagogue, a long-acting second-generation sulfonylurea. After metformin, it is widely prescribed anti-diabetic drugs and used along with diet and exercise for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
As compared to other sulfonylureas, Glimepiride has a lower risk of hypoglycaemia and weight gain.

How does Glimepiride work?
Glimepiride lowers blood glucose level by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells mainly by blocking ATP sensitive potassium channel.
It also increases the sensitivity of peripheral tissue to insulin.
Glimepiride can be used either as monotherapy or in combination with metformin, insulin and other oral hypoglycaemic agents.

Side effects related to Glimepiride
USFDA approved it in 1995 as a safe and effective oral anti-diabetic drugs with a lower risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain.
But along with therapeutic efficacy, every drug has certain side effects, so does the glimepiride has. The most common side effects associated with glimepiride are nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and discomfort.

Precautions
Glimepiride is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
Do not consume glimepiride without prescription.
Before taking glimepiride, you must tell your doctor if you had: Liver disease, kidney disease, and thyroid disease.
If you experience any allergic effect, consult your doctor immediately.

Avoid the use of alcoholic beverages during glimepiride treatment as it increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level).
Immediately contact to your doctor if you have dark colour urine, pale or yellowish skin, fever, weakness and severe skin reaction (such as sore throat, skin pain followed by red itchy rashes and burning sensation in eyes) while using glimepiride.
Avoid sunlight exposure during treatment with glimepiride, because it can make your skin to burn in sunlight rapidly. So, before going outside use sunscreen having SPF more than 30.
Glimepiride is contraindicated in diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition in which blood sugar level is very high along with a higher concentration of ketone (acidic substance) in the body).

Advantages
Lower risk of hypoglycaemia: Hypoglycaemia refers to lower blood glucose level, glimepiride is a second-generation sulfonylurea and has a lower risk of hypoglycaemia in comparison to other sulfonylureas.
Lower risk of weight gain: Glimepiride has a lower risk of weight gain as compared to other sulfonylureas. In combination with metformin, it is a safe and effective oral anti-diabetic drug.
Safe for cardiac (heart) disease patient: Glimepiride is safe for the patient having cardiovascular diseases in comparison to other sulfonylureas.
Decrease lipolysis (the breakdown of fatty acids by adipose tissue)

Concluding, glimepiride is a safe and effective oral anti-diabetic drug in comparison to other sulfonylureas. That’s why it is considered as a second-line anti-diabetic drug.

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The anti-diabetic drug glimepiride (EZIPRIDE 1 (1mg), EZIPRIDE 2 (2mg), EZIPRIDE 4 (4mg) are widely available with their online pharmacy 24 hrs with a massive discount of 80%. The aim of Dr Best Pharmaceuticals is everyone should get their medicine at an affordable price. So go and get the benefits.