Properties:
Glimepiride is an oral hypoglycemic drug of the Sulfonylurea class. It lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating the release of insulin from functioning pancreatic beta cells & also by increasing the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin.
Diabride is totally absorbed from the GIT within 1 hour, with peak drug levels at 2 - 3 hours

Indications:
Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM) not responding to diet & exercise alone.
In combination with insulin in patients whose glucose levels cannot be controlled by diet, exercise, & oral hypoglycemic agents alone.

Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to the drug
Diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without comma.

Precaution:
Hypoglycemia :All sulfonylureas are capable of producing hypoglycemia, proper patient selection, dosage & instructions are important .
Loss of control of blood glucose, when a patient is exposed to stress as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery , loss of control of blood glucose may occur. It should be necessary to add insulin to Diabride or even use insulin monotherapy.

Use during pregnancy & Lactation :
Diabride should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause congenital abnormalities. It is also not recommended to use during lactation. It is advised that insulin be used during pregnancy & lactation to maintain glucose levels as close to normal as possible.


Adverse Effects:
Nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal pain,& diarrhea have been rarely reported.
Dizziness, pruritus, erythema & urticaria occur in less than 1 % .

Dosage & route of administration & duration:

Starting dose ...................1 to 2 mg once daily.
Maintenance dosage ..............1 to 4 mg once daily.
After reaching a dose of 2 mg, the dose should increase no more than 2 mg at 1 - 2 week intervals based upon the patients glucose response. The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg daily.

Storage:

Keep at temperature not exceeding 30ºC
Keep out of reach of children.

Presentation:

Box of 10 tablets ( 2mg )
Box of 10 tablets ( 3mg )