AMARYL (Glimepiride)
What is the brand name for this medicine?
AMARYL
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is used for the oral treatment of type 2 diabetes. Control of this type of diabetes is usually accomplished with a combination of diet, weight management, exercise, oral medications, and possibly insulin injection if all other measures fail.
How is this medicine taken?
Dosing is either 1 or 2mg once daily with breakfast or the first main meal initially, and may be titrated up to 4 mg daily, with the maximum recommended dose at 8 mg daily. Once daily dosing is considered advantageous for those who have trouble remembering to take multiple dose medications.
What if I miss a dose?
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
How is this medicine stored?
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Keep away from heat and light.
Are there side effects?
It is known to cause some gastric upset, weight gain, skin rash, eczema, itching, drowsiness, anxiety, blurred vision, thirst, headache, nausea, and edema.
Are there precautions with this medicine?
This medicine should not be taken if you have had an allergic reaction previously while taking this drug or you have diabetic ketoacidosis. Talk to your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, have a history of heart failure, peptic ulcer, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disease or hypothyroidism. Also, if you have a high fever, infection or pituitary or adrenal insufficiency.
What about interactions with other drugs?
Interactions with other drugs include the following; when glimepiride is given with anticoagulants, the hypoglycemic effect of glimepiride may be increased; beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may decrease the effect of glimepiride; and oral contraceptives and estrogens may also decrease the effect of glimepiride.
Can I take this medicine if I’m pregnant or breast-feeding?
Data from controlled studies are not available. Talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant or breast-feeding. During pregnancy, blood sugars levels are uncontrollable and are dangerous to the fetus, many doctors recommend insulin instead of oral medication.
General Information:
Possible nutrient depletions associated with the use of the sulfonylureas include Coenzyme Q10, considered essential for healthy cardiac function, although studies have not definitively associated glimepiride with this depletion .
