Sulfonylurea

Glimepiride

Also known as: Amaryl

Best time

With breakfast

07:00–09:00

Take with the first main meal to match insulin release with food and avoid night-time lows.

Strong evidence

Consistent clinical trials or official prescribing guidance support this timing.

Why this time works

Glimepiride makes the pancreas release more insulin. Dosing with breakfast aligns this with daytime eating; taking it late or skipping meals raises the risk of low blood sugar overnight.

Body rhythm involved

Insulin sensitivity is higher in the morning than the evening.

Other hormones & diabetes medicines

Levothyroxine

Synthroid, Euthyrox

On waking, empty stomach — or bedtime

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Prednisolone / prednisone

Deltasone, Pred Forte (oral forms)

Morning

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Hydrocortisone (replacement)

Cortef, Plenadren

Largest dose on waking, smaller early afternoon

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence