Type 2 diabetes affects how your body uses glucose or blood sugar. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy.
Glimepiride is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by helping your pancreas to make more insulin.
Let's take a closer look at how Glimepiride works, its benefits, and its possible side effects.
What is Glimepiride?
Glimepiride belongs to a class of medications called sulfonylureas (glipizide is another example). It's been used since 1995 as an affordable and effective medication for lowering blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes.
It's usually used in combination with healthy nutrition and exercise habits or can also be used with other diabetes medications, such as metformin or insulin. Glimepiride can be taken once a day with breakfast or the first main meal (but when you take it will depend on your doctor's recommendations).
How does Glimepiride work?
Glimepiride works by stimulating the beta cells in your pancreas to make more insulin. When your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it properly, blood sugar levels rise. By increasing the amount of insulin in your body, Glimepiride helps to lower blood sugar levels. As a result, Glimepiride only works for people who still produce some insulin.
One way to measure longer-term blood sugar management is with a lab called A1c. This test measures your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Sulfonylureas like Glimepiride can lower A1c by 1 to 1.5 percent, making a positive impact on any risks for diabetes complications.
Are there any side effects to taking Glimepiride?
Since Glimepiride stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin without considering your current blood sugar, one possible side effect is low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- Feeling shaky
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Hunger
- Headache
- Blurry vision
Act fast if you notice blood sugar symptoms!
If you have a glucometer, you can check your blood sugar to know what it should be. Work with your doctor or diabetes educator to decide when is the best time for you to check. Hypoglycemia can be serious, so if it's below 70 mg/dl (or you notice any of the above symptoms), have a small snack with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates like:
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) fruit juice
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) regular soda (not diet)
- 4 glucose tablets (you can get these from your pharmacist)
- 1 tbsp honey
Is Glimepiride the right medication for you?
Whether Glimepiride is the best choice to treat your diabetes will depend on many factors. You and your doctor will consider your overall health, medications, and other medical conditions.
If you have questions about your medication, or anything related to your diabetes care, 9amHealth is here to help. Our medical team is available on-demand to offer guidance and support. Learn more here.
