GLIMEPIRIDE + METFORMIN

Glimepiride + Metformin is a combination drug that contains the anti-diabetic agents glimepiride, a sulfonylurea and metformin, a biguanide drug. It is available as an oral tablet.

Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by acting as an insulin secretagogue. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating the cells in the pancreas to increase the release of insulin. It also activates the insulin receptors inside the pancreatic cells. On the other hand, metformin decreases glucose production in the liver and decreases the absorption of glucose. It also improves insulin sensitivity by increasing the uptake of glucose in the tissues of the body.

Uses

Glimepiride + metformin is used in the treatment of the following:

Patients 18 years and above with diabetes mellitus type 2
Blood sugar levels that cannot be controlled adequately by diet, physical exercise and weight reduction
As replacement therapy in diabetic patients stabilized on glimepiride (1 or 2 mg) with metformin (500 mg SR)

Warning

Do not give Glimepiride + metformin with the following conditions:

Hypersensitivity to metformin, glimepiride, sulfonylureas, other sulfonamides or any of the excipients
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Impaired renal function
Acute complications (severe infections, major operations and trauma)
Before x-ray examinations with iodinated contrast materials
Liver damage
Alcoholism
Deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron
Ketosis-prone diabetes
Severe cardiovascular or respiratory disease
General ill health (malnutrition, dehydration)
Diabetes with significant late complications (nephropathy, retinopathy)