What is the maximum dose of glimepiride (Glimepiride, a sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic agent)?

From the Guidelines

The maximum dose of glimepiride is 8 mg once daily. According to the most recent evidence from 1, glimepiride dosing recommendations do not explicitly state a maximum dose, but clinical guidelines typically suggest a maximum dose of 8 mg once daily. Treatment typically starts at a lower dose of 1-2 mg once daily, taken with breakfast or the first main meal, and can be titrated upward based on blood glucose response.

Key Considerations

• Dose adjustments should be made in increments of no more than 2 mg every 1-2 weeks to achieve target blood glucose levels.
• Glimepiride works by stimulating insulin release from pancreatic beta cells and increasing sensitivity to insulin at peripheral target sites, thereby lowering blood glucose.
• Elderly patients, those with renal or hepatic impairment, and malnourished individuals may require lower doses due to increased risk of hypoglycemia, as noted in 1.

Monitoring and Precautions

• Patients should be monitored for hypoglycemia, especially when starting therapy or increasing doses.
• Glimepiride should be taken consistently at the same time each day to maintain stable blood glucose levels throughout the day. Some key points to consider when prescribing glimepiride include:
• Starting with a lower dose, such as 1 mg daily, in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, as recommended in 1.
• Using caution when prescribing glimepiride to patients with a GFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m², as alternative treatments may be preferred.

From the FDA Drug Label

The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg once daily. The maximum dose of glimepiride is 8 mg once daily 2.

From the Research

Maximum Dose of Glimepiride

The maximum dose of glimepiride varies depending on the country and region.

• In the UK, the maximum dose is 6 mg/day 3
• In the US, the maximum dose is 8 mg/day 3

Dosage Range

The effective dosage range of glimepiride is 0.5 to 8 mg/day, although there is little difference in efficacy between dosages of 4 and 8 mg/day 3

Titration

The dosage is usually started at 1 mg/day and titrated to glycaemic control at 1- to 2-week intervals to a usual dosage range of 1 to 4 mg/day 3