What Happens In My Body If I Take Glimeperide In The Morning And Metformin XR In The Evening?

Posted on Thu, 15 Feb 2024

Question: What happens in my body if I take 1 glimeperide (2 mg) in morning and 1/2 Metformin XR (time-release) in the evening? This combo lowered my A1 C 5 to 7 points when checked in March. What happens inside my liver? Do you feel this combo (taken daily) is safe? My Primary Care physician is unaware of my combo. He prescribed 1 glimeperide in the morning and one in evening. However the glimeperide/Metformin seems more potent.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About glimepirid and metformine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
The combination of metformine with glimepirid is the most used one as they are the first antidiabetic orals invented. During the last 20 years, there 3 or 4 new categories of antidiabetic medications.
So, do not worry because the combination is right.
You should know that glimepirid has the risk to cause hypoglycemia ( glucose levels under 70 mg/ dl) , that for your age may be problematic. If low glucose levels happen more than once a month, you should inform your physician.
I do suggest glimepirid once daily to my patients.
As far as you take metformine, liver function tests should be checked once in 6 months, as metformine should not be taken if liver emzymes are over the normal limits.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (16 hours later)

Thank you for your answer. Additionally, Which part of a blood test reveals liver enzymes? Today after taking 1/2 of the metformin last night (glimeperide earlier in the day), I still had early morning high sugar level (163). Should I switch and take the metformin in the eve and glimeperide in the morning? Should I take the whole Metformine XR time release tablet? I fear too much diabetic medicine which would overload the liver.
Thanks, XXXXXXX K XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
About diabetes therapy:

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Sorry for the delay in my answer...

Liver function tests include; AST, ALT, GGT.

Metformin is suggested to be taken in the evening, after dinner and Glimepiride fasting.
You may increase the dose of Metformin up to 1000 mg in the evening.

If fasting glucose persists high then the therapy should be modified, probably a third medication is needed to be added to the present regimen.

Hope the information will help.

Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee