Glycoped 2 mg (Glimepiride)

Adult dose

Dosage is individually adjusted for each patient. This drug is orally administered once daily and should be taken before breakfast or just before the first meal. The initial dose should be started at 1 mg of glimepiride administered once daily, and the dosage can be increased by 1 mg at intervals of 1-2 weeks. Generally, doses above 4 mg provide little additional benefit, but some patients may benefit from increasing to 6 mg or 8 mg.

This drug is not to be administered to patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or those in a coma. Patients allergic to this drug or its components should also refrain from use. It is advisable not to use this drug in patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction, and transitioning to insulin therapy is recommended in such cases. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as well as nursing mothers, should not take this drug. Patients with severe infections, pre- or post-surgical conditions, or significant trauma may also require insulin therapy. Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or vomiting can prevent proper absorption of the drug, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Furthermore, this drug contains lactose, and should not be prescribed to patients with lactose intolerance or related genetic conditions. In the first week of treatment, there is a high risk of hypoglycemia, so blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. Especially for the elderly, those with poor nutritional status or irregular eating patterns, frequent alcohol consumption, patients with weakened liver or kidney functions, and those taking many medications, the risk of hypoglycemia is greater. In such cases, a dosage adjustment may be necessary in consultation with a physician. This drug has a potent blood sugar lowering effect, so symptoms of hypoglycemia may occur. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include headache, severe hunger, nausea, fatigue, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and diminished consciousness. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness or seizures, so if symptoms arise, immediate intake of sugar or notification to healthcare personnel is essential. This drug may cause various side effects including liver dysfunction, reduced blood cell counts, and allergic reactions. In particular, if allergic symptoms like hives, rash, or difficulty breathing occur, the drug should be stopped immediately and a physician notified. This drug must be taken regularly while also adhering to a dietary and exercise regimen. If hypoglycemia occurs, immediate sugar intake can alleviate symptoms, so it is advisable to always carry sugar. When used in combination with other medications, this drug may affect blood sugar control, thus it is important to inform your physician or pharmacist of all medications being taken. Particularly, caution is needed when used with beta-blockers, certain antibiotics, and steroids. Pregnant or nursing women should not use this drug and should transition to insulin therapy if necessary. For children under 18 years, safety and efficacy have not been established, so this drug is not used. Elderly patients should use this drug with caution as kidney function may decline and dosage adjustments may be necessary. In case of overdose, hypoglycemia may become severe, hence immediate hospital treatment is required, and rapid interventions such as vomiting induction or glucose injection may be necessary. This drug should be stored out of reach of children and kept in its original container.

Serious side effects

Hives, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweats, pallor, severe rashes accompanied by fever, blisters, skin peeling, oral/conjunctival mucosal pain, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, respiratory distress accompanied by cough and fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), extreme lethargy, sudden and very severe headaches, thunderclap headaches, seizures, altered consciousness, visual disturbances, paralysis, markedly decreased urine output

Mild side effects

• Headache
• severe hunger
• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue
• sleep disturbances
• anxiety
• aggression
• decreased concentration
• diminished agility or energy

This drug may be sensitive to air or moisture, so it must be stored in a tightly sealed container. It is important to maintain a storage temperature between 1 and 30 degrees Celsius to preserve the drug's effectiveness and safety.

Appearance

Green rectangular tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 300 tablets/bottle