Amaryl (glimepiride) prescription available online within 24H

Glimepiride works by telling your pancreas to produce and release more insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels. It binds to specific receptors on the beta cells of the pancreas, triggering the release of insulin even when your blood sugar levels aren’t particularly high. This helps people with type 2 diabetes keep blood sugar levels in check.

Glimepiride also makes your body more sensitive to insulin, so your cells use glucose (sugar) more efficiently. But, because glimepiride makes your pancreas produce more insulin, it can increase the risk of experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly in older adults, people with kidney problems, and people who use other antidiabetic medications.

Health experts (and the research) agree that glimepiride is effective at lowering blood sugar. When it comes to weight loss, though, results are mixed. Glimepiride increases insulin levels which can promote fat storage and potential weight gain. But, in some cases, the improved blood sugar control provided by glimepiride may lead to other improvements in metabolic health, including lower cholesterol and modest weight loss.

Here’s a look at some of the research on glimepiride and its effects on body weight and glycemic control:

• People lost 4.8 pounds on glimepiride in an 8-week study, while another study found an average weight loss of 6.6 pounds after taking glimepiride over 1 to 5 years.
• In a study of people with type 2 diabetes, taking glimepiride daily led to an average 1.3% reduction in HbA1c levels. While people at a healthy weight (according to their body mass index [BMI]) didn’t lose weight, those who were overweight or obese lost an average 4.2 pounds after 4 months, 5.7 pounds after 1 year, and 6.4 pounds after 1.5 years of taking glimepiride, when compared to their baseline body weight.
• A 1-year study comparing glimepiride with glibenclamide, another sulfonylurea, found that glimepiride led to more weight loss and a greater reduction in both HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels. 
• When combined with dapagliflozin, another diabetes medication, both medications caused additional weight loss (up to 3.6 more pounds in 48 weeks) and blood sugar control among people who didn’t initially respond to glimepiride therapy alone.

Glimepiride comes in 3 dosage strengths: 1, 2, 3, and 4 milligrams. The tablets are scored, so you can divide them if needed.

The recommended starting dose for glimepiride is 1 or 2 milligrams a day. Based on how you respond, your healthcare provider may gradually have you increase your dose in 1- or 2-milligram increments at least 1 to 2 weeks apart until your blood sugar levels are adequately controlled. The maximum dose of glimepiride is 8 milligrams a day.

If you have an increased risk of hypoglycemia (for example, you’re 65 or older or have kidney issues), your healthcare provider may start you at the 1-milligram dose and titrate your dosage more slowly.

Glimepiride should be taken once a day with breakfast or your first main meal of the day. If you take it, you should adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

If you miss a dose of glimepiride, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next dose, in which case skip it and take your next dose as scheduled. Don’t take 2 doses at once to make up for a missed dose, as this can increase the risk of overdose and severe hypoglycemia that can be life-threatening. If you aren’t sure of what to do, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

You want to store glimepiride at room temperature in its original container with the lid tightly closed. Dispose of expired or unused medication properly. Don’t flush it down the toilet. Instead, check for local take-back programs or talk to your pharmacy about safe disposal methods.

Glimepiride is FDA-approved for lowering blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. In fact, sulfonylureas are more commonly associated with weight gain vs weight loss (although glimepiride has been shown to cause weight loss in some studies). If weight loss is your goal, alternative medications may be more effective, such as:

• Injectable or oral semaglutide. Known by the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that controls blood sugar levels, regulates appetite, and slows down digestion. It can also lower cardiovascular risk in people with established heart disease. Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved for weight loss.
• Injectable tirzepatide. Known by the brand names Zepbound and Mounjaro, tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) receptor agonist that causes even more weight loss than semaglutide. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is an FDA-approved weight loss medication.
• Oral metformin. Available as a generic, this FDA-approved diabetes medication controls blood sugar levels while also leading to modest weight loss.
• Oral phentermine. Available as a generic and in brand-name Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), phentermine is a stimulant that suppresses appetite. Since it is a controlled substance, it’s typically prescribed for short-term weight loss.
• Oral Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone). This combination medication is a weight loss pill like phentermine, but it isn’t a stimulant and may be prescribed for long-term weight management.

The above medications are FDA-approved for different indications, including weight loss, glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk reduction. They should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. All have side effects that may include, but aren’t limited to, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and headaches. They also have potentially serious side effects and may have FDA-boxed warnings for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (semaglutide and tirzepatide), lactic acidosis (metformin), suicidal thoughts and behavior (Contrave), and a risk of abuse and dependence (phetermine).

The best way to find out which weight loss medication is best for you, if any, is to talk to a licensed healthcare provider.