Regularly Check Blood Sugar Levels
Low blood glucose is a common problem with sulfonylurea drugs like glimepiride. The best way to avoid low blood sugar is to regularly check it. If blood sugar levels get too low, do what the prescriber has instructed. They may prescribe you glucose tablets or a glucagon intramuscular pen to use. They may also instruct you to consume something that is high in sugar, such as a chocolate bar or sugary juice.
What Are The Side Effects Of Glimepiride
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction or a severe skin reaction .
- pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine
- confusion, weakness or
Common side effects may include:
- low blood sugar.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Glimepiride Tablet Interaction With Other Medications
Glimepiride oral tablets may interact with vitamins, medications, and herbs. The usage of the tablet can change the effects of other medicines. In order to avoid these interactions, always inform your doctor about your medical history and other tablets that you have been taking. Dugs that might interact with Glimepiride are:
1. Quinolone antibiotics These drugs may lead to low blood sugar. Ciprofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are some of the Quinolone antibiotics.
2. Heart Drugs Benazepril, captopril, enalapril, enalaprilat, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, trandolapril
3. Antifungals- Such drugs increase the effect of Glimepiride and may lead to low blood sugar. Examples of antifungals are fluconazole and ketoconazole.
4. Drugs for Eye Treatment: Drugs like Chloramphenicol may lead to low blood sugar.
5. Drugs like Clofibrate for Cholesterol Treatment.
6. Drugs for Depression Treatment- Drugs like tranylcypromine and phenelzine can change the effects of Glimepiride
7. Drugs like aspirin, magnesium salicylate, and salsalate, and others that have salicylic acid.
8. Drugs like sulfadiazine, sulfacetamide, sulfasalazine, and sulfisoxazole that contain sulphonamides.
9. Drugs that cure low blood sugar.
10. Drugs for TB treatment- Rifapentine, rifabutin, and rifapentine.
11. Thiazide diuretics like chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide and metolazone
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What Are Warnings And Precautions For Glimepiride
Warnings
- This medication contains glimepiride. Do not take Amaryl if you are allergic to glimepiride or any ingredients contained in this drug.
- Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately
Contraindications
- See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Glimepiride?”
Long-Term Effects
- See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Glimepiride?”
Cautions
Pregnancy and Lactation
- Use glimepiride during pregnancy with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available, or neither animal nor human studies were done
- Excretion of glimepiride in breast milk is unknown, avoid when breastfeeding
Effects On Pregnancy And Lactation
Researchers have not identified any major birth defects or miscarriages in women taking glimepiride during pregnancy. However, some doctors have reported an increased risk of hypoglycemia in newborns whose mothers took glimepiride during pregnancy.
Doctors recommend stopping glimepiride 2 weeks before the expected delivery date to prevent any effects on the baby.
Researchers are unsure of how much glimepiride is released into breastmilk. If a breastfeeding woman must continue taking glimepiride, the pediatrician should routinely monitor the babyâs blood sugar levels.
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How Should I Use This Medication
The usual starting dose is 1 mg once daily to be taken with breakfast or the first main meal. After reaching a dose of 2 mg, further increases should be done in increments of no more than 1 mg at one-week to 2-week intervals, based on the response. The usual maintenance adult dose ranges from 1 mg to 4 mg once daily to be taken with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. The maximum daily dose is 8 mg.
Gilmepiride tablets should be swallowed whole with approximately ½ glass of liquid. Do not chew or crush this medication.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
What Happens If I Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A glimepiride overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, confusion, tremors, sweating, fast heart rate, trouble speaking, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fainting, and seizure .
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Dosage For People With Other Health Problems
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Glimepiride comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. To help you remember to take glimepiride, take it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take glimepiride exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of glimepiride and gradually increase your dose if needed. After you have taken glimepiride for some time, glimepiride may not control your blood sugar as well as it did at the beginning of your treatment. Your doctor may adjust the dose of your medication as needed so that the medication will work best for you. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling and if your blood sugar test results have been higher or lower than normal at any time during your treatment.
Glimepiride helps control blood sugar but does not cure diabetes. Continue to take glimepiride even if you feel well. Do not stop taking glimepiride without talking to your doctor.
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What Other Drugs Could Interact With This Medication
There may be an interaction between glimepiride and any of the following:
- acetylsalicylic acid
- angiotensin receptor blockers
- “azole” antifungals
- inhaled corticosteroids
- oral corticosteroids
- corticosteroids
- other diabetes medications
- HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- quinolone antibiotics
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- tricyclic antidepressasnts
What Side Effects Are Possible With This Medication
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abnormal taste in mouth
Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- general feeling of illness
- increased skin sensitivity or skin rashes following sun exposure
- signs of bleeding
- signs of high blood sugar
- signs of low blood sugar
- signs of liver damage
- skin redness, itching, or rash
- swelling of the hands or feet
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
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What Other Drugs Interact With Glimepiride
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
- Glimepiride has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
- Serious Interactions of Glimepiride include:
- aminolevulinic acid
This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.
What Form Does This Medication Come In
CO-Glimepiride is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under glimepiride. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using this medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.
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Is Glimepiride A Good Drug
Glimepiride is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used with other diabetes medications. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use glimepiride if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
-
an allergy to sulfa drugs or
-
diabetic ketoacidosis .
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
-
liver or kidney disease or
-
an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency .
Glimepiride may increase your risk of serious heart problems, but not treating your diabetes can also damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of glimepiride.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby. However, you may need to stop taking glimepiride for a short time just before your due date.
Medications similar to glimepiride have caused severe hypoglycemia in newborn babies whose mothers used the medicine near the time of delivery. If you take glimepiride during pregnancy, stop taking this medicine at least 2 weeks before your due date.
If you breastfeed while taking glimepiride, call your doctor if your baby shows signs of hypoglycemia .
Glimepiride is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
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What Is This Medication
GLIMEPIRIDE treats type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing insulin levels in your body, which decreases your blood sugar . It also helps your body use insulin more effectively. It belongs to a group of medications called sulfonylureas. Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication.
This medicine may be used for other purposes ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME: Amaryl
Take The Tablets As Directed
Another good way to avoid side effects is to follow the instructions given by the prescriber or written in the drug information insert. Take the dose of glimepiride at the right time each day. Only take one tablet per day. Take it with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Dont take it on an empty stomach. If a dose is missed, it can be taken when remembered, as long as its closer to the time of the missed dose than the time of the next dose. However, if its closer to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Dont take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
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Combination Of Glimepiride With Dipeptidyl Peptidase
Recently, several new classes of hypoglycemic agents have been introduced, including glucagon like peptide-1 and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. These agents improved glycemic control in T2DM patients either as monotherapy or in combination with SU, metformin, thiazolidinedione, or insulin.4446 Glimepiride can be used in combination with metformin and DDP-4 inhibitors if glycemic control is not achieved with a single or with two agents . Studies have reported an equal efficacy for glimepiride plus metformin vs vildagliptin/sitagliptin plus metformin in terms of HbA1c reduction.4749
Although DDP-4 induces less weight gain and hypoglycemia compared to glimepiride, further long-term follow-up studies are needed to determine their safety and efficacy.
What Is Glimepiride And How Does It Work
Glimepiride is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used with other diabetes medications. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Glimepiride belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. It lowers blood sugar by causing the release of your body’s natural insulin.
- Glimepiride is available under the following different brand names: Amaryl.
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Measurement Of Advanced Glycation End Products
The concentrations of glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end products , one of the toxic AGE present in the serum, were measured with a competitive ELISA using an immunopurified glycer-AGE antibody . In brief, 96-well microtiter plates were coated with 1 g/ml glycer-AGE-bovine serum albumin per well, and were kept overnight in a cold room. The wells were washed three times with 0.3 ml of phosphate-buffered saline -Tween-20. Wells were then blocked by incubation for 1 h with 0.2 ml of PBS containing 1% BSA. After washing with PBS-Tween-20, test samples were added to each well as a competitor for 50 l of the glycer-AGE antibody , followed by incubation for 2 h at room temperature with gentle shaking by a horizontal rotary shaker. The wells were then washed with PBS-Tween-20 and developed with an alkaline-phosphatase-linked anti-rabbit IgG utilizing p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a colorimetric substrate. The results are expressed as glycer-AGE units per milliliter of serum, with 1 U corresponding to 1 g of glycer-AGE-BSA standard. The sensitivity and intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 0.01 U/ml, 6.2 and 8.8%, respectively. The level of the soluble form of the receptor for AGE was measured using an ELISA kit , as described previously .
Some Side Effects Can Be Serious If You Experience Any Of These Symptoms Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- light-colored stools
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- unusual bruising or bleeding
Glimepiride may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
In one study, people who took a medication similar to glimepiride to treat their diabetes were more likely to die of heart problems than people who were treated with insulin and diet changes. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking glimepiride.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Glimepiride is used along with diet and exercise, and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes . Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin and helping the body use insulin efficiently. This medication will only help lower blood sugar in people whose bodies produce insulin naturally. Glimepiride is not used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis .
Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Taking medication, making lifestyle changes , and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage , eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose
Before you start to take glimepiride, ask you doctor what you should do if you forget to take a dose. Write these directions down so that you can refer to them later.
As a general rule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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