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Pioglitazone-Glimepiride

Pronounced

"pie-oh-GLIT-uh-zone/glih-MEH-pih-ride"

Uses

This medication is a combination of 2 drugs, pioglitazone and glimepiride. It is used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Pioglitazone belongs to a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones or "glitazones." It works by helping to restore your body's proper response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using pioglitazone-containing products.

Glimepiride belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. It works by causing the release of your body's natural insulin.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with the first main meal of the day.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Colesevelam can decrease the absorption of glimepiride. If you are taking colesevelam, take this product at least 4 hours before taking colesevelam.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. Monitor your blood sugar on a regular basis, and share the results with your doctor.

It may take up to 2 to 3 months before you get the full benefit of this drug.

When switching from individual diabetes drugs to this combination product, your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar more often to make sure you do not have a sudden attack of low blood sugar (hypoglycemic reaction) when starting this product. (See also Side Effects section.) Follow your doctor's directions carefully.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.