Two medicines, side by side
Dapagliflozin vs glimepiride
Dapagliflozin and glimepiride are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dapagliflozin since 2014 and of glimepiride since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.184 per dapagliflozin 10 mg tablet and $0.0507 per glimepiride 4 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and glimepiride a sulfonylurea.
Check it at the source: the dapagliflozin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 3, 2026); the glimepiride FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2025).
Highlights of the dapagliflozin record
Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) · label of June 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFARXIGA (dapagliflozin) is indicated: • To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular (CV) death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression. • To reduce the risk of CV death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 8, 2014
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.184 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the glimepiride record
Glimepiride (Amaryl) · label of May 12, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsGlimepiride tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Limitations of Use Glimepiride tablets should not be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 30, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0507 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dapagliflozin label of June 3, 2026, Glimepiride label of May 12, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dapagliflozin and glimepiride differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and glimepiride a sulfonylurea.
How each works, in its label's words: Dapagliflozin, “Dapagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2.”; Glimepiride, “Glimepiride primarily lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells.”
Generics: dapagliflozin since 2026; glimepiride since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dapagliflozin | Glimepiride | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Chronic kidney disease, Heart failure, Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor | Sulfonylurea |
| How it works (label) | Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), expressed in the proximal renal tubules, is responsible for the majority of the reabsorption of filtered glucose from the tubular lumen. Dapagliflozin is an inhibitor of SGLT2. | Glimepiride primarily lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean plasma terminal half-life (t ½ ) for dapagliflozin is approximately 12.9 hours following a single oral dose of FARXIGA 10 mg. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 8, 2014 | November 30, 1995 |
| First generic approved | April 6, 2026 | October 6, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 27 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.184 per tablet (Dapagliflozin 10 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Glimepiride 4 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -98% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 56,884 | 38,737 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Dapagliflozin label, drug interactionsCoadministered Drug (Dose Regimen) Single dose unless otherwise noted.: Glimepiride (4 mg); Dapagliflozin (Dose Regimen): 20 mg; Effect on Dapagliflozin Exposure [% Change (90% CI)]: ↔; ↔
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to dapagliflozin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions