Introduction
Brand name: Astemate PM2
Manufacturer: Astemax Biotech
Composition: Glimepiride + Pioglitazone + Metformin hydrochloride tablet (fixed‑dose combination for type 2 diabetes)
Astemate PM2 is a triple‑combination oral antidiabetic tablet indicated for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults when single‑ or dual‑agent therapy is inadequate. It combines three mechanistically complementary drugs:
Glimepiride (a sulfonylurea) stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic β‑cells.
Pioglitazone (a thiazolidinedione) improves insulin sensitivity in muscle, fat, and liver.
Metformin hydrochloride reduces hepatic glucose production and decreases intestinal glucose absorption while improving peripheral glucose uptake.
This combination helps achieve better glycaemic control (HbA1c reduction), fasting and post‑prandial glucose lowering, and may also improve lipid parameters and insulin resistance in appropriately selected patients. It is typically used as an add‑on to diet and exercise, and often after failure of monotherapy or dual‑drug regimens.
Typical use and precautions
Dosed once daily, usually with the largest meal, though exact strength‑wise regimen (e.g., 2 mg glimepiride / 15 mg pioglitazone / 500 mg metformin or similar) should follow local prescribing information and medical supervision.
Contraindicated in type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe renal impairment, active liver disease, congestive heart failure (NYHA class III–IV), and known hypersensitivity to any component.
Requires monitoring for hypoglycaemia (mainly due to glimepiride), weight gain, fluid retention/oedema, anaemia, and liver‑function abnormalities; avoid in patients at high cardiovascular risk unless specifically indicated and closely monitored.
Always prescribe within local regulatory and formulary guidelines
