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Amaryl, |Amaryl

Amaryl

Generic Name: glimepiride (glih MEP ih ryd)
Brand Names: Amaryl

What is glimepiride?

Glimepiride is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas.

Glimepiride is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with glimepiride if needed.

Glimepiride may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride?

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.

Glimepiride is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

It is important to take glimepiride regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking glimepiride?

Before taking glimepiride, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease;
• adrenal or pituitary gland problems;
• or if you are under-nourished; or
• have liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use glimepiride, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How should I take glimepiride?

Take glimepiride exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your dose needs may change if you are ill, if you have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency.

Glimepiride is usually taken once a day, with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Follow your doctor"s instructions.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, you will need to check your blood sugar at home. Your blood will also need to be tested by your doctor on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Glimepiride is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

It is important to take glimepiride regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a glimepiride overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking glimepiride?

Do not use glimepiride if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment.

Glimepiride side effects

• signs of congestive heart failure (swelling or rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, chest pain);

• restlessness, irritability, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, confusion, or seizure (convulsions);

• skin rash, itching, redness, or irritation;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• dizziness or weakness;

• headache, blurred vision;

• mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

• increased skin sensitivity to sunlight; or

• dark urine.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect glimepiride?

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking glimepiride with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:

• isoniazid;

• diuretics (water pills);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• phenothiazines (Compazine and others);

• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);

• birth control pills and other hormones;

• seizure medicines (Dilantin and others);

• diet pills; and

• medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking glimepiride other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);

• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);

• sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);

• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);

• beta-blockers (Tenormin and others);

• probenecid (Benemid); or

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin and others).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take glimepiride, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect glimepiride. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about glimepiride written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Glimepiride is available with a prescription under the brand name Amaryl. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Amaryl 1 mg-pink, flat-faced, oblong tablets

• Amaryl 2 mg-green, flat-faced, oblong tablets

• Amaryl 4 mg-blue, flat-faced, oblong tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.