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Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics: Glimepiride, like other sulfonylureas, lowers blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. Glimepiride also produces an increase in the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin via an extrapancreatic mechanism.
Following oral administration, glimepiride is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Peak plasma concentrations occur in 2 to 3 hours. Glimepiride is highly protein bound and has a half-life of about 2 to 4 hours. It is metabolized mainly in the liver. Glimepiride is extensively metabolized to two main metabolites, a hydroxy derivative and a carboxy derivative. Glimepiride is excreted chiefly in the urine. About 60% of the dose is eliminated in the urine and 40% in the feces.
