I have been taking Glitaris M7. 5 (Pioglitazone 7.5 mg) as anti diabetic since more than 10 years. My endocrinologist insists that I should continue with it. I understand that Pioglitazone improves body's ability to use insulin to lower blood sugar. However, I read that Glimepiride also helps tissues respond better to insulin. It means both have similar functions (advantages). My question is, as Pioglitazone has more side effects than similar medicines (ref. Literature), should I switch over to Glimepiride as a substitute to Pioglitazone?

Dear Lybrate user, I understand that you have been doing quite a bit of research on the medications, but I just want to make one correction. You are right about pioglitazone, but not the glimepiride whose main function is to stimulate insulin production from the pancreas and not to reduce insulin resistance. This is done by mostly metformin and pioglitazone. Hence you are taking combination of 2 tablets with similar function. If your sugars are controlled and you are not getting any side-effects to the medications, I don't see any reason you need to think of discontinuing the medication. Having said that pioglitazone can be associated with water retention in the body and weight gain, If you feel that you are putting on weight or having swollen legs, then you might need to consider stopping pioglitazone and think of the alternative.  

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