What are the efficacy, uses, and side effects of Glimepiride tablets?

Glimepiride tablets are an oral hypoglycemic agent primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Generally, the effects and functions of glimepiride tablets mainly include lowering blood glucose, preventing complications, improving insulin resistance, reducing cardiovascular risks, and assisting lifestyle adjustments. Common side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, weight gain, skin reactions, hematologic system reactions, and hypoglycemia. However, this medication should be used under the guidance of a qualified physician. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Effects and Functions

1. Lowering Blood Glucose: Glimepiride tablets stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and enhance insulin's biological activity, thereby reducing blood glucose levels.

2. Preventing Complications: Long-term glycemic control helps delay the onset and progression of diabetic complications. Glimepiride helps protect target organs such as the kidneys and retina by effectively lowering blood glucose, thus reducing the risk of complications.

3. Improving Insulin Resistance: Glimepiride can improve the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin to some extent, helping cells utilize insulin more effectively and thereby lowering blood glucose levels. It also helps enhance insulin bioavailability, leading to better glycemic control.

4. Reducing Cardiovascular Risk: Glimepiride offers certain protective effects on the cardiovascular system and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.

5. Assisting Lifestyle Adjustments: As part of pharmacological treatment, glimepiride can complement lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise in managing blood glucose levels.

2. Side Effects

1. Gastrointestinal Discomfort: After taking glimepiride tablets, patients may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upper abdominal pressure or fullness, and abdominal pain.

2. Weight Gain: Glimepiride may cause weight gain in patients, which may be related to the drug's effects of promoting insulin secretion and improving insulin resistance.

3. Skin Reactions: Patients may experience skin symptoms such as itching, erythema, urticaria, and maculopapular rash after taking glimepiride tablets.

4. Hematologic System Reactions: Glimepiride may cause hematologic reactions including leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, and pancytopenia.

5. Hypoglycemia: Glimepiride may lead to hypoglycemia, especially when the dosage is too high, eating is irregular, or meals are skipped.

In daily life, patients are advised to maintain healthy eating habits and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples, tomatoes, and broccoli, which can help maintain overall health.