Glimepiride oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

Glimepiride oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Amaryl. Glimepiride also comes combined with another drug in forms taken by mouth. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

This article describes glimepiride oral tablet’s dosage, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for glimepiride.

If you want to know more about glimepiride oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Form and strengths of glimepiride

Glimepiride oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 1 milligram (mg), 2 mg, and 4 mg

Dosage of glimepiride

This article describes the recommended dosage* for glimepiride oral tablet.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of glimepiride oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drug manufacturer provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosage of glimepiride in adults

Glimepiride helps manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Doctors prescribe glimepiride to be used along with diet and exercise.

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of glimepiride oral tablet. Then, they’ll assess how the medication affects your blood sugar level. If needed, they’ll adjust your dosage every 1 to 2 weeks until the right dosage for you is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of glimepiride oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

The recommended dosage of glimepiride oral tablet in milligrams (mg) is as follows:

• Starting dosage: 1 mg to 2 mg once per day, taken with breakfast or first meal
• Maintenance dosage: based on individual needs
• Maximum dosage: 8 mg once per day

Dosage adjustments for glimepiride

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of glimepiride oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have

Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage of glimepiride in some cases. Examples include the following:

• You’re at risk of low blood sugar.
• You have kidney problems.
• You’re an older adult. (People ages 65 years and older are considered older adults.)

Missed dose of glimepiride

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot a dose of glimepiride oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of glimepiride oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about glimepiride oral tablet and its dosage.

Can I take my glimepiride dose at night?

The drug manufacturer recommends taking your glimepiride dose with your first main meal of the day. For most people, the first main meal is breakfast. But if your first main meal of the day is usually at night, then take it with that meal.

Glimepiride can cause certain side effects such as low blood sugar. If you take the drug at nighttime, you’ll still need to monitor your blood sugar as often as recommended. In this case, you should allow enough waking hours to do this.

For more information on the side effects that glimepiride can cause, see this detailed article.

If you’re considering taking your glimepiride dose at night, talk with your doctor first. They’ll recommend the best time to take your dose.

Is there a twice-daily dosage of glimepiride?

No, the drug manufacturer of glimepiride doesn’t have a recommended twice-daily dosage. You’ll take glimepiride once per day, with your first main meal of the day. But be sure to take glimepiride exactly as your doctor prescribes.

To learn more about the dosage of glimepiride, see the “Dosage of glimepiride” section above.

If you’d like to know about taking glimepiride more than once per day, talk with your doctor. They can discuss a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Should I take my dose of glimepiride before or after food?

Glimepiride increases the amount of insulin released by the pancreas to lower your blood sugar. The drug manufacturer recommends that you take your dose of glimepiride with your first main meal of the day. You can also take it up to 30 minutes after. But taking it too long before or after your meal can prevent it from working effectively. And that can affect how well it manages your blood sugar.

By not taking glimepiride at the recommended times, some risks can increase. This includes your risk of low blood sugar or high blood sugar.

To learn more about timing your glimepiride doses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will I take a different dose of glimepiride if I’m also taking metformin?

It’s possible. The drug manufacturer hasn’t recommended a specific dose of glimepiride if you’re also taking metformin. But taking these two medications together can increase your risk of low blood sugar.

To help prevent low blood sugar, monitor your blood sugar level regularly while taking glimepiride and metformin. Before starting treatment, your doctor will tell you what to do if you notice signs of low blood sugar. They may advise you to consume a certain amount of carbohydrates recommended by the 15-15 rule.

Your doctor will determine the right glimepiride dose if you also take other medications for type 2 diabetes. In some cases, they may recommend a lower dose of glimepiride.

Talk with your doctor to discuss your dosage of glimepiride if you’re taking metformin.

Is glimepiride taken long term?

Yes, doctors usually prescribe glimepiride oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know more about taking glimepiride long term.

How glimepiride is taken

You’ll swallow glimepiride oral tablet. You’ll take it once per day with breakfast or your first main meal of the day. You can also take it up to 30 minutes after. But taking it too long before or after your meal can prevent it from working effectively. And that can affect how well it manages your blood sugar.

Swallow glimepiride oral tablet whole. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. If needed, you can cut or split glimepiride oral tablet on the score line (groove).

Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Glimepiride coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for glimepiride when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of glimepiride

It’s important that you do not take more glimepiride oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects. 

Symptoms of glimepiride overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• severe low blood sugar
• seizure
• loss of consciousness
• coma

 What to do if you take too much glimepiride

If you think you’ve taken too much glimepiride, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for glimepiride oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of glimepiride oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take glimepiride oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my dosage of glimepiride oral tablet be adjusted if I have liver or kidney problems?
• Are there alternative drugs that can be used instead of glimepiride? If so, how do their dosages compare?
• Does my risk of side effects increase with higher dosages of glimepiride oral tablet?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.