Two medicines, side by side
Glimepiride vs metformin
Glimepiride and metformin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of glimepiride since 1995 and of metformin since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.0507 per glimepiride 4 mg tablet and $0.0145 per metformin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, glimepiride is a sulfonylurea and metformin a biguanide.
Check it at the source: the glimepiride FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2025); the metformin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 2026).
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
Highlights of the metformin record
Metformin (Glucophage) · label of September 3, 2026
WARNING: LACTIC ACIDOSIS Postmarketing cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis have resulted in death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. The onset of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal pain.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are biguanide indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 80 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0145 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 61
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Glimepiride label of May 12, 2025, Metformin label of September 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do glimepiride and metformin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, glimepiride is a sulfonylurea and metformin a biguanide.
How each works, in its label's words: Glimepiride, “Glimepiride primarily lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells.”; Metformin, “Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose.”
Only the metformin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: glimepiride since 2005; metformin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Glimepiride | Metformin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Sulfonylurea | Biguanide |
| How it works (label) | Glimepiride primarily lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. | Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 30, 1995 | March 3, 1995 |
| First generic approved | October 6, 2005 | January 24, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 80 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0507 per tablet (Glimepiride 4 mg tablet) | $0.0145 per tablet (Metformin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +4% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 61 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 38,737 | 410,076 |
| 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to glimepiride
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions