Glimez Tablet (Glimepiride)

Adult dose

Administered orally once a day. This medication should be taken before breakfast or immediately before the first meal. For patients who have never received the drug previously, treatment should begin with 1 mg of glimepiride. If necessary, the dose can be increased by 1 mg at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks. Generally, doses above 4 mg do not provide additional benefits, although some patients may show better metabolic control with an escalation to 6 mg (or 8 mg). If administration of 4 mg daily fails, switching to insulin therapy should be considered, and otherwise, combination therapy with insulin or other oral anti-diabetic medications should be considered.

This medication should not be used in patients with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or coma. It should also not be administered to individuals allergic to this drug, its components, or drugs in the sulfonylurea or sulfonamide class. There is no experience with use in patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction, and in such cases, switching to insulin treatment is recommended. Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should not take this medication. Insulin therapy is necessary for patients with severe infections, pre- and post-surgery, or severe trauma, and caution should be exercised in patients with gastrointestinal disorders where food absorption is impaired due to the risk of hypoglycemia. Additionally, this medication contains lactose, so it should not be administered to patients with lactose intolerance or related genetic disorders. During the first week of administration, there is a higher risk of hypoglycemia, so close monitoring is particularly important, especially for elderly patients, those with poor nutritional status or irregular eating habits, patients who frequently consume alcohol, those with impaired liver or kidney functions, and patients with other endocrine disorders. Moreover, there may be potential interactions when taken with other medications, necessitating dosage adjustments. This medication has a strong hypoglycemic effect and may cause hypoglycemia; symptoms of hypoglycemia can include headache, severe hunger, nausea, fatigue, confusion, drowsiness, decreased consciousness, etc. Rare side effects reported include blurred vision, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver function abnormalities, blood disorders, and allergic reactions, and severe cases require immediate notification to a physician. It is essential to maintain regular meals, exercise, and weight control when taking this medication, and patients should always carry sugar to respond quickly in case of hypoglycemia. In times of stress, surgery, or infection, switching to insulin therapy may be necessary. When taken with other medications, blood sugar-lowering effects may be increased or decreased, so it is essential to inform healthcare providers about all medications being taken. Particularly, there may be interactions with beta-blockers, some antibiotics, and steroids. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid this medication as it could harm the fetus or newborn and should be substituted with insulin therapy if necessary. Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients under 18 years of age. In elderly patients, caution is required for dose adjustments due to possible reduced kidney function. In cases of overdose, severe hypoglycemia may occur and immediate emergency treatment is required, which could involve inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, or administering glucose intravenously. This medication should be stored out of reach of children and in its original container for safety.

Serious side effects

Hives, severe swelling (edema), difficulty breathing, hypotension, shock, severe allergic reactions, skin and mucous membrane syndrome (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 10,000/μL and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), liver function abnormalities (jaundice), liver failure, severe hematological changes (leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia), severe hypoglycemia (coma, loss of consciousness, etc.)

Mild side effects

• Headache
• severe hunger
• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue
• sleep disturbances
• anxiety
• aggressiveness
• decreased concentration
• reduced agility or activity

This medication should be stored in a tightly sealed container to protect it from exposure to air and moisture. It is important to maintain a storage temperature between 1°C and 30°C at room temperature.

Appearance

Green, oblong tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle