Can glimepiride (GLIMEPIRIDE) be divided?

From the Guidelines

Glimepiride tablets can be divided, but it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before doing so. Glimepiride is an oral antidiabetic medication in the sulfonylurea class used to treat type 2 diabetes, and most formulations are scored, meaning they have a line across the tablet that allows for easy splitting 1. If you need to take a partial dose, you can use a pill cutter to divide the tablet along the score line to ensure accurate dosing. However, before splitting your glimepiride tablets, it's essential to confirm this is appropriate for your specific prescription and medical needs. The ability to split the tablet is particularly useful when your doctor wants to adjust your dose gradually to minimize side effects like hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or when you're starting or tapering off the medication. Some key points to consider when dividing glimepiride tablets include:

• Storing them properly in their original container
• Being aware that the shelf life of split tablets may be shorter than intact ones
• Ensuring accurate dosing by using a pill cutter to divide the tablet along the score line
• Consulting with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to confirm that dividing the tablet is appropriate for your specific prescription and medical needs, as stated in the standards of care in diabetes-2024 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Glimepiride tablets USP are formulated as tablets of: • 1 mg (Light pink capsule shaped flat-faced, bevelled edged tablets with breakline on both sides and debossed with ‘I’ and ‘1’ on either side of breakline only on one side) • 2 mg (Yellow coloured capsule shaped flat-faced, bevelled edged tablets with breakline on both sides and debossed with ‘I’ and ‘2’ on either side of breakline only on one side) • 4 mg (White capsule shaped flat-faced, bevelled edged tablets with breakline on both sides and debossed with ‘I’ and ‘4’ on either side of breakline only on one side) The tablets have a breakline on both sides, which suggests they can be divided. Key points:

• The presence of a breakline indicates the tablet is designed to be split.
• The drug label does not explicitly state that the tablets should not be divided. 2

From the Research

Glimepiride Divisibility

• The provided studies do not directly address whether glimepiride can be divided 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• However, the studies discuss the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glimepiride in various dosing regimens, including once-daily and twice-daily dosing 5.
• The studies also evaluate the bioequivalence of different formulations of glimepiride, including a generic formulation and a branded formulation 6, as well as sustained-release formulations of glimepiride/metformin combination tablets 7.
• While the studies provide information on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glimepiride, they do not specifically address the divisibility of the medication.

Dosage and Administration

• The usual dosage range of glimepiride is 1 to 4 mg/day, with a maximum dosage of 6 mg/day in the UK or 8 mg/day in the US 3.
• The dosage is usually started at 1 mg/day and titrated to glycaemic control at 1- to 2-week intervals 3.
• The studies do not provide information on whether glimepiride can be divided to achieve a specific dosage.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

• The pharmacokinetics of glimepiride are mainly unaltered in elderly patients or those with renal or liver disease 3.
• The terminal half-life and mean time of glimepiride remain unchanged in patients with renal impairment 4.
• The studies provide information on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glimepiride, but do not address the divisibility of the medication.