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Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Glimepiride is an orally active hypoglycaemic substance belonging to the sulphonylurea group. It may be used in non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus. Glimepiride acts mainly by stimulating insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. As with other sulfonylureas this effect is based on an increase of responsiveness of the pancreatic beta cells to the physiological glucose stimulus. In addition, glimepiride seems to have pronounced extrapancreatic effects also postulated for other sulfonylureas.
Pharmacokinetics: Glimepiride is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Peak plasma concentrations occur in 2 to 3 hours, and it is highly protein bound. The drug is extensively metabolized to two main metabolites, a hydroxyl derivative and a carboxyl derivative. The half-life after multiple doses is about 9 hours. Approximately 60% of a dose is eliminated in the urine and 40% in the feces.
