|
Glimepiride
What Is Glimepiride?
Glimepiride ( Amaryl®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes).
Side Effects of Glimepiride
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects of glimepiride. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects of glimepiride include:
(Click Side Effects of Glimepiride to learn about the specific side effects of this drug, including serious side effects to look out for. You can also read about other possible side effects by going to:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver problems, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue
- Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency)
- Pituitary gland problems
- Any allergies, including allergies to sulfa drugs, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Amaryl and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Will be having surgery.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Glimepiride is part of a class of diabetes medications known as sulfonylureas. A sulfonylurea, such as glimepiride, helps the pancreas to produce more insulin. It also helps body's cells to respond better to insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels decrease.
In studies looking at the effects of glimepiride, people who took it decreased their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by 2 percent compared to people who did not take glimepiride. HbA1c is a test used to measure long-term blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Normal HbA1c levels are usually less than 6 percent in people without diabetes; people with diabetes usually have higher HbA1c results.
Studies have shown that the higher the HbA1c, the greater the chance for developing long-term problems related to diabetes. This includes such problems as heart disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. By getting blood sugar levels under control with glimepiride, it may be possible to decrease the chances for developing these diabetes complications.
When and How to Take Glimepiride
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include:
- Glimepiride comes in tablet form. It should be taken by mouth once daily.
- It should be taken with breakfast. If you do not eat breakfast regularly, you should take glimepiride with the first main meal of your day.
- It should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
- For glimepiride to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of glimepiride your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As is always the case with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Glimepiride can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
In general, type 2 diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes (for example, weight loss, exercise, and diet). If lifestyle changes are not effective at managing diabetes, medication, such as glimepiride, may be necessary.
The main goal of diabetes medicine is to lower blood sugar levels enough to reduce your risk of developing problems related to diabetes, such as heart, nerve, eye, or kidney problems. Because glimepiride can lower blood sugar levels, people may be able to lower their risk for developing problems related to high blood sugar.
For most people, glimepiride is quite effective at controlling blood sugar. It is also generally well tolerated. However, the medicine may not work as well as needed, and there are also potential side effects. In these cases, you may need to combine glimepiride with another diabetes medicine, such as metformin ( Glucophage®) or insulin. You may also wish to consider a substitute for glimepiride. These substitutes could include other sulfonylureas or other diabetes medicines, either by themselves or in combination.
(Click Amaryl Alternatives to learn more about alternatives for glimepiride. To learn about controlling diabetes through lifestyle choices, click on any of the following links:
People who take too much glimepiride may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Fainting
- Shakiness
- Fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Confusion
- Sweating.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Storage Methods for Glimepiride
The medication should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. Glimepiride tablets should be kept in an airtight container.
Keep glimepiride and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your glimepiride as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Glimepiride is made by sanofi-aventis. Generic glimepiride is made by several manufacturers.
Glimepiride tablets are available in six strengths:
- Glimepiride 1 mg
- Glimepiride 2 mg
- Glimepiride 3 mg
- Glimepiride 4 mg
- Glimepiride 6 mg
- Glimepiride 8 mg.
Both brand-name and generic glimepiride are currently licensed for sale.
|
|
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
|
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
|
|
