It is quite possible to cope with type 2 diabetes, and the drug "Glimepiride" can do this. This medication helps to release insulin from the beta cells of the pancreas, thereby helping a person get rid of the disease. Today we find out what the drug "Glimepiride" is, what its composition is, what are the rules for taking, undesirable effects, contraindications. And we’ll also find out by what means it can be replaced, that is, consider the analogues of this medicine.
Description of the medication
Glimepiride tablets are used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in combination with drugs such as Insulin or Metformin. But also these pills can be used as monotherapy. The drug "Glimepiride" stimulates the secretion of insulin by beta cells of the pancreas, increases the release of insulin. This drug is indicated for those patients for whom diet therapy and physical activity do not help.
Structure
One tablet of the Glimepiride preparation contains the following components: the active substance is glimepiride (1, 2, 3 or 4 mg), additional elements are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, dye, magnesium stearate and povidone.
Pills are available in blisters packaged in a cardboard box. The tablets themselves are flat-cylindrical, light pink, yellow, green or blue (depending on the dosage).
Instructions for use
Means "Glimepiride" must be taken before breakfast or during it. Thus, nausea or abdominal pain can be prevented. The tablet should be swallowed whole, you do not need to chew it or crumble it into powder. The drug usually begins with a dosage of 1 mg per day. Later, depending on the results of the tests, the doctor can increase to 2, 3 or 4 mg per day. However, it is forbidden to drastically increase the amount of the drug. The rate of increase should be 1 mg in 7-14 days.
The maximum daily dose of the drug should be no more than 8 mg.
Side effects
Glimepiride tablets can cause unwanted reactions. It:
- Violation of hematopoiesis, hemostasis, leukopenia, erythropenia, aplastic anemia.
- Headache, dizziness, vision problems.
- Sensation of heaviness and abdominal pain, diarrhea, intrahepatic cholestasis.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Shortness of breath, hepatitis, skin allergic reactions.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to use the medicine "Glimepiride" in such cases:
- In case of diabetic coma and precom, ketoacidosis of diabetic origin.
- In case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
- During pregnancy, as well as lactation.
- With insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Cost
The drug "Glimepiride", the price of which may vary depending on the dosage of tablets, the location of the pharmacy, etc., is quite common. On average, the cost of 30 tablets of 1 mg will be 150 rubles, 2 mg - 190 rubles. The price of pills in the same amount, but with a dosage of 4 mg will cost a person 270–300 rubles.
The drug "Diabeton"
This medicine can be a good competitor to the drug "Glimepiride." An analogue is also indicated for type 2 diabetes mellitus in case of ineffective diet therapy, as well as physical activity.
The drug is available in the form of tablets. The composition of this medicine is different from the Glimepiride medication. So, gliclazide acts here as the active substance, and additional elements are: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide. Pills are packaged in blisters of 15 pieces each. The dosage of the drug "Diabeton", the price of which is not fixed, is set individually. However, usually the doctor prescribes 2 pills (morning and evening) per day. The cost of this medication is within reasonable limits. But still, the drug "Diabeton", the price of which can range from 300 to 400 rubles for 30 tablets, is better not to buy if the money is right up to the mark. After all, if you compare this medication with the medicine to which the article is devoted, it turns out that the "Diabeton" pills will be more expensive. After all, the drug "Glimepiride" should be taken once a day for 1 tablet. At the same time, Diabeton must be drunk 2 pills a day. It turns out that this medication will end earlier.
Means "Amaril M"
This drug can be treated for type 2 diabetes in the same way as the medicine "Glimepiride". The analogue differs in both composition and price. Amaril M is also sold in tablet form, packaged in blisters of 10 pieces. In a cardboard box can be 1 or 3 blisters.
The difference between Amaril M is that it has two active ingredients: glimepiride, metformin. The cost of this drug ranges from 600-700 rubles for 30 tablets of 2 mg. It is much more expensive than Glimepiride. And not only the price is the basis for the acquisition of a cheaper drug, but also the side effects that the Amaril M medicine can give. Since there are not one, but two active substances in this drug, then there are 2 times more undesirable reactions to the body. So, the components of glimepiride, metformin can adversely affect the work of almost all human organs. Therefore, it is worth once again thinking before buying this medication in a pharmacy.
Good cheap substitute
Tablets "Glimepiride Teva" are an excellent analogue of the drug, which is devoted to the article. They even have a very similar composition. The main active ingredient in the tablets "Glimepiride Teva" is also glimepiride - 1, 2 and 3 mg. Auxiliary components of this agent are: yellow oxide, corn starch, sodium carboxymethyl starch, povidone, polysorbate, talc, magnesium stearate, iron dye, lactose monohydrate.
Drink pills "Glimepirid Teva" must also be careful. You can not sharply increase the dose of taking this tool. Initially, you should drink 1 mg of the drug once a day. Subsequently, the doctor can increase the amount of taking this medication to 4-6 mg per day. However, the maximum dose should not be more than 8 mg.
The price of the drug "Glimepiride Teva" also depends on how much of the active substance is contained in the pill. So, for 30 tablets of 2 mg, you need to pay 80 rubles. If you buy the same number of pills, but 3 mg each, then you should give 120 rubles. This is cheaper than the cost of the drug "Glimepiride." The analogue really compares favorably in price, so if necessary, you can ask your doctor about replacing one product with another. Perhaps the doctor will give the go-ahead, and the person will acquire a cheaper drug.
Patient reviews
The drug "Glimepiride" reviews has a different nature: both positive and negative. True, the number of both is insignificant. Some patients write that thanks to this tool they were able to quickly lower their blood sugar. Other patients note that at first this medication helped, but the further it was necessary to take it, the effect became less noticeable. It turns out that the medicine "Glimepiride" can be addictive. Also, some people note that this tool causes a lot of side effects. At the same time, other patients write that when using this drug they did not reveal any undesirable manifestations at all. There is a twofold situation. Therefore, to choose whether or not this remedy is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes - it is up to the specific patient to decide with the attending physician.
Doctors reviews
Endocrinologists are not as skeptical about the effects of Glimepiride as some patients. Doctors never refuse this remedy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Doctors are sure that the drug "Glimepiride" will help get rid of the negative manifestations of this ailment. The analogue of this medication is the Diabeton drug, however, it can make him a good competition. However, endocrinologists note that they can prescribe one drug or another only after preliminary consultation with the patient, where all the points about the use of this or that remedy will be clarified. After all, the instructions for each medication have their contraindications. If one medicine, for example, cannot be taken by a patient, then perhaps another is possible.
From the article you learned about a drug that helps patients overcome the negative effects of type 2 diabetes. And this remedy is Glimepiride. We found that he has analogues that can make good competition. Indeed, at the price some of them are cheaper than the drug to which the article is devoted. Nevertheless, the question of the decision to replace one remedy with another should be decided only together with the endocrinologist.