Glimepiride shown to be effective, safe for diabetes control

Glimepiride has been shown to be an effective and safe medicine in lowering blood sugar, providing a precise blood sugar control without the side-effects often associated with other drugs of the same class known as sulfonylureas.

Likewise, glimepiride improves insulin sensitivity, has potent anti-hypertensive effects, works well in managing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and has less cardiovascular side-effects, Dr. Ruby Go, former president of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Philippine Diabetes Association and head of the Endocrine Section of the Chinese General Hospital, said in a recent scientific forum.

Heart experts agree that glimepiride may have a potentially beneficial effect in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease or CHD. This is considered significant since diabetics are already considered high-risk for CHD and are, in fact, regarded as a CHD equivalent.

Glimepiride’s entry into the cardio-metabolic portfolio of Therapharma, a division of United Laboratories, is in line with the company’s vision to provide quality and economical medicines for people with diabetes.

"We at Therapharma take it as a social and moral responsibility to equip diabetics with the armament that they need to face their personal war against this crippling disease," said John Dumpit, the company’s general manager.

He encourages doctors to raise awareness on diabetes and empower patients through glimepiride so the latter can have a better quality of life despite their condition.

Therapharma’s brand of glimepiride, is reasonably priced. The 1, 2 and 3mg tablets only cost P12, P15 and P20 respectively.

Diabetes is a severe and progressive disease that needs to be addressed seriously. It is considered the seventh leading cause of death in the world. But in the Philippines alone, 4.1 percent or about 3.5 million already suffer from diabetes.

Failure to detect the early stages of this condition can lead to several complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, eye problems, and foot problems.

Glimepiride is a prescription medicine and available only with a physician’s advice.