Glimepiride (Amaryl) Uses

Glimepiride is used, in conjunction with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition associated with high blood sugar levels due to the body not using insulin hormone normally. 

Note: Glimepiride is not used to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus (a condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes).

There may be other uses of glimepiride—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Glimepiride (Amaryl) Mechanism of Action

Glimepiride works by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin and by helping the body use insulin more efficiently.

Glimepiride (Amaryl) Doses

Glimepiride is available as 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg tablets. The usual starting dose of glimepiride is 1 or 2 mg once daily. The dose is increased by 1 or 2 mg every 1-2 weeks based on blood sugar control. The maximum recommended dose of glimepiride is 8 mg once daily. Elderly patients and patients with renal impairment (reduced kidney function) are usually started on 1 mg daily, and the dose is increased slowly due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in such individuals.