Drug Approvals
(British Approved Name, US Adopted Name, rINN)
INNs in other languages (French, Latin, and Spanish):
Pharmacopoeias. In Europe and US.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Glimepiride). A white to almost white powder. It exhibits polymorphism. Practically insoluble in water slightly soluble in dichloromethane soluble in dimethylformamide very slightly soluble in methyl alcohol.
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Glimepiride). A white to almost white powder. Practically insoluble in water sparingly soluble in dichloromethane soluble in dimethylformamide slightly soluble in methyl alcohol. It dissolves in dilute alkali hydroxides and in dilute acids. Store at a temperature not exceeding 25°.
Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions
As for sulfonylureas in general. In some countries hepatic and haematological monitoring is recommended in patients receiving glimepiride in the UK the BNF considers the practical value of such monitoring unproven.
Fasting. Glimepiride, given in unchanged doses but with the time of the single daily dose switched from morning to just before breaking fast after sunset, was used in Muslim patients during Ramadan without causing an increased incidence of hypoglycaemic episodes.
For further advice on the management of diabetes mellitus in fasting Muslim patients during Ramadan see under Precautions of Insulin.
Interactions
As for sulfonylureas in general.
Pharmacokinetics
Glimepiride is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Peak plasma concentrations occur in 2 to 3 hours, and it is highly protein bound. The drug is extensively metabolised to two main metabolites, a hydroxy derivative and a carboxy derivative. The half-life after multiple doses is about 9 hours. About 60% of a dose is eliminated in the urine and 40% in the faeces.
Uses and Administration
Glimepiride is a sulfonylurea antidiabetic. It is given orally for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Initial doses of 1 to 2 mg daily may be increased if necessary to 4 mg daily for maintenance. The maximum recommended dose is 6 mg in the UK and 8 mg in the USA.
Preparations
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008: Glimepiride Tablets.
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Adiuvan Amaryl Endial Glemaz Gluceride Glucopirida Islopir Lomet Next Step
Australia: Amaryl Aylide Diapride Dimirel
Austria: Amaryl
Belgium: Amarylle
Brazil: Amaryl Azulix Bioglic Diamellitis Glimepibal Glimepil Glimeprid † Glimeran Glimesec † Hipomeril
Canada: Amaryl
Chile: Amaryl Glemaz Glucomet
Czech Republic: Amarwin Amaryl Amyx Apo-Glimep Eglymad Glemid GlimTek Glymexan Melyd Metis Oltar
Denmark: Amaryl
Finland: Amaryl
France: Amarel
Germany: Amaryl Glimegamma Glimerid
Greece: Dialosa Glimepiron Glimespes Glimexin Gliperin Mepirid Penoza Pharlecon Saccharofar Solosa Sucryl Tipo II Toremol
Hong Kong: Amaryl Diapride
Hungary: Amaryl Dialosa Glempid GlimeWin Gl
India Gliprex Limeral Meglimid Melyd Sintecal
India: Amaryl Betaglim Diaglim Euglim Glimcip Glimiprex Glimitab Glimulin Glyree Glyree M Karmelitos
Indonesia: Amadiab Amaryl Anpiride Glamarol Glimexal Gluvas Mapryl Metrix Relide
Ireland: Amaryl
Israel: Amaryl
Italy: Amaryl Solosa
Malaysia: Amaryl Diapride Glimaryl Glimin Glimulin Miaryl
Mexico: Amaryl Glupropan Zukedib
The Netherlands: Amaryl
Norway: Amaryl
New Zealand: Amaryl
Philippines: Imerid Norizec Solosa
Poland: Amaryl Amyx Avaron Betaglid Diaril Glemid Glibetic Glibezid Glidiamid Glimehexal Glimesan Glipid Limeral Melyd Oltar Pemidal Symglic
Portugal: Amaryl Diapiride Glimial Gludon
Russia: Amaryl Glemaz
South Africa: Amaryl Glamaryl
Singapore: Amaryl Diapride
Spain: Amaryl Roname
Sweden: Amaryl
Switzerland: Amaryl
Thailand: Amaryl
Turkey: Amaryl Diameprid Glimax
UK: Amaryl Niddaryl
USA: Amaryl
Venezuela: Amaryl Dimavyl Glimerid.
Multi-ingredient
Czech Republic: Avaglim Tandemact
France: Avaglim Tandemact
Greece: Avaglim
Hungary: Avaglim
India: Betaglim Mf Exermet GM Glimiprex M † Glimulin-MF †
Indonesia: Avandaryl
Portugal: Avaglim Tandemact
USA: Avandaryl Duetact.