What Is Rosiglitazone and Glimepiride Used For?

Rosiglitazone and Glimepiride as Part of Diabetes Treatment

The main goal of any diabetes treatment is to lower your blood sugar levels (as measured by your hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) enough to reduce your risk for developing problems related to diabetes (see Diabetes Complications).

 

Any type 2 diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective at managing diabetes, diabetes medication -- such as rosiglitazone and glimepiride -- may be necessary. Some diabetes medications force the pancreas to produce more insulin (see Avandaryl Alternatives). These medications are effective, but can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Rosiglitazone and glimepiride contains one of these medications (glimepiride) that is more likely to cause low blood sugar (see Avandaryl and Blood Sugar).

 

In some people, rosiglitazone and glimepiride may need to be combined with other diabetes medicines. For example, if type 2 diabetes is untreated for a very long time, the pancreas may not be able to make enough insulin anymore, even with the help of rosiglitazone and glimepiride. In these people, using this drug alone will not be effective. These people will need to take insulin along with rosiglitazone and glimepiride.

Rosiglitazone and Glimepiride Use in Children

Rosiglitazone and glimepiride has not been adequately studied in children, and there is not enough information available to recommend the use of this medication in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using this drug in children.