A method of manufacturing glimepiride of formula I wherein trans-4-methylcyclohexylamine pivalate of formula VII is reacted, either directly or after conversion to trans-4-methylcyclohexylamine or to its another salt, with an alkyl [4-(2-{[(3-ethyl-4-methyl-2-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1 yl)carbonyl]amino)ethyl)phenyl]-sulfonyl carbamate of general formula IV wherein R is a C1-C5 alkyl, giving glimepiride of formula I, trans-4-Methylcyclohexylamine pivalate of formula VII ##STR00001##