Short-Term Glimepiride Use Normalizes Hba1c and Sustains Euglycemia after Switching to Physiologic Antidiabetics in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Managing glycemic control is essential for anyone dealing with type 2 diabetes (T2D). When newly diagnosed or uncontrolled T2D patients experience persistent hyperglycemia, it can be quite a challenge, especially if the initial treatment with physiological oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), like DPP-4 inhibitors or SGLT2 inhibitors, doesn’t lead to quick normalization of HbA1c levels. While sulfonylureas such as glimepiride are often linked to long-term use and potential hypoglycemia risks, they might provide short-term relief in swiftly addressing hyperglycemia.The goal of this study is to assess how effective a short-term (3-month) glimepiride treatment is in lowering high blood glucose and HbA1c levels in patients struggling with persistent hyperglycemia, as well as to explore the possibility of transitioning these patients to physiological OADs for sustained glycemic control.

Study involving adults with T2D and persistent hyperglycemia (HbA1c >9%) despite standard treatment. Participants were given glimepiride for 3 months alongside lifestyle changes. We measured HbA1c, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), at the start and after 3 months and after 6 months. Patients on glimepiride were then switched to physiological OADs after 3 months. We continued to follow up to monitor the stability of glycemic control after the transition. After 3 months of glimepiride therapy, a significant reduction in HbA1c levels was observed in Group 1 compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.001).

Using glimepiride for a short period in patients struggling with high blood sugar can be a smart way to quickly improve their glycemic levels.