Glimepiride has been shown to be an effective and safe medicine for lowering blood sugar, providing a precise blood sugar control without the side effects often associated with other drugs of the same class known as sulfonylureas.

The medicine can also improve insulin sensitivity, has potent anti-hypertensive effects, works well in managing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and has less cardiovascular side-effects, this is according to Dr. Ruby Go, former president of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Philippine Diabetes Association, and head of the endocrine section at the Chinese General Hospital, during a recent medical forum.

Heart experts during the forum affirmed that glimepiride may have a potentially beneficial effect in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease or CHD. This is considered significant since diabetics are already considered high-risk for CHD and is in fact regarded as a CHD equivalent.

Glimepiride’s entry into the cardiometabolic portfolio of Therapharma, a division of United Laboratories, Inc. is in line with the company’s vision to provide quality and economical medicines for people with diabetes.

Therapharma’s brand of glimepiride, is reasonably priced at PhP12 (1mg), PhP 15 (2mg) and PhP 20 (3mg).

Diabetes, a severe and progressive disease that needs to be addressed seriously is considered the seventh leading cause of death in the world. In the Philippines alone, 4.1 percent or about 3.5 million Filipinos suffer from diabetes. Failure to detect the early stages of this condition can lead to several complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, eye problems, and foot problems.