Glimepiride is the generic name of the prescription drug Amaryl, used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes.
Glimepiride belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfonylureas.
The drug can also decrease the chances that someone will develop life-threatening complications of type 2 diabetes.
The drug was approved by the FDA in 1995 and is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis.
Glimepiride comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day. It may be used alone, or in combination with insulin or another oral medication such as metformin.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of the medication and gradually increase your dose if needed.
If you've taken glimepiride for a long period of time, the drug may not control blood sugar as well as it did when you first started the treatment. Your doctor will adjust the dosage as needed.
Glimepiride helps control blood sugar, but it will not cure your diabetes. You should continue to take glimepiride even if you feel well.
This medication should not be used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes, a disease in which the body does not produce insulin. Glimepiride will only help lower blood sugar if your body produces insulin naturally.
In one study, patients who took a medication similar to glimepiride to treat diabetes were more likely to die of heart problems than those who were treated with diet changes and insulin.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of this treatment.
While taking glimepiride, you should tell your doctor if you:
Glimepiride may cause changes in your blood sugar, which could cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
You may want to carry glucose tablets or gels with you to treat low blood sugar episodes.
Some side effects of glimepiride can be serious. You should call your doctor immediately if you experience:
Many drugs can affect your blood sugar levels and make them more difficult to control.
You should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop, or change any medication.
If you are taking another anti-diabetic drug such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), follow your doctor's instructions carefully for stopping the old drug and starting on glimepiride.
The drug colesevelam (Welchol) can decrease the absorption of glimepiride. You will need to take glimepiride at least four hours before taking colesevelam.
You should tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs or supplements you are taking.
Alcohol can worsen the side effects of glimepiride and may cause symptoms such as flushing, headache, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, mental confusion, sweating, choking, difficulty breathing, and anxiety.
Limit or avoid drinking alcohol while taking glimepiride.
You should also avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun while taking glimepiride because the drug can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
You should take glimepiride as directed by your doctor.
Typically, you will take the medication by mouth with breakfast or with the first meal of the day, usually once daily.
Your dose will be based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
The recommended starting dose of glimepiride is 1 or 2 milligrams (mg), once a day with breakfast or first main meal.
If you are at increased risk for hypoglycemia (elderly patients or those with kidney impairment), you should start on 1 mg, once daily.
After reaching a daily dose of 2 mg, further dose increases can be made. The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg, once daily.
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.
If you miss a dose of glimepiride, take it as soon as you remember.
If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular schedule.
Do not double up on doses to make up for a missed dose.
A: The weight gain may be caused by the glimepiride you are taking. If your blood sugar is under good control, you should not change your medications without discussing this with your health care provider.
A: Metformin (Glucophage) is a medication used for the treatment of diabetes or high blood sugar. It works by decreasing the production of glucose by the liver. Metformin (Glucophage) is best taken with a meal. For twice daily dosing, metformin can be taken with breakfast and supper. Glimepiride (Amaryl) is a sulfonylurea agent used to increase the secretion of insulin by the body. According to research, it is recommended to take glimepiride with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Januvia (sitagliptin) increases incretin levels which increases insulin synthesis and release. Januvia (sitagliptin) can be taken with or without food, a specific time of day is not recommended. Your healthcare provider may be able to provide you with more information. For more information on diabetes: http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/type2/understanding.aspx Laura Cable, Pharm.D., BCPS
A: All sulfonylurea drugs are capable of producing severe hypoglycemia. Proper patient selection, dosage, and instructions are important to avoid hypoglycemic episodes. Hypoglycemia is more likely to occur when caloric intake is deficient, after severe or prolonged exercise, when alcohol is ingested, or when more than one glucose-lowering drug is used. Combined use of glimepiride and metformin may increase the potential for hypoglycemia. Patients should be informed about the importance to dietary instructions, of a regular exercise program, and of regular testing of blood glucose. The risks of hypoglycemia, its symptoms and treatment, and conditions that predispose to its development should be explained to patients. Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not stop using any medication or change your dose without first talking to your doctor, follow the directions on your prescription label. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your specific condition and current medications. Regards, Shereen A. Gharbia, PharmD
A: Your question regards what is the best time to take glimepiride (Amaryl) http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/glimepiride. Glimepiride should be taken with breakfast or your first meal of the day unless otherwise instructed by your physician. As always, talk with your health care provider regarding your medications and dosage times. Jen Marsico RPh
A: I have reviewed your question regarding the following medications; Amaryl (glimepiride), Synthroid (levothyroxine), Requip (ropinirole), Relafen (nabumetone), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Zocor (simvastatin), Klonipin (clonazepam), and Neurontin (gabapentin). I have found a moderate interaction between Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Amaryl (glimepiride): Using the two together may increase the risk of seizure. You should discuss these findings with your physician. Joseph Hall, RPh
A: Common side effects of glimepiride include headache and nausea. These are usually mild. If you are experiencing severe headaches and nausea, contact your health care provider for proper evaluation and treatment. There are no documented drug interactions between felodipine and either metformin or glimepiride. However, if you suspect you are experiencing a drug interaction, contact your health care provider. You may also find helpful information at http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/glimepiride and http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/felodipine. Sarah Lewis, PharmD
A: Swelling of the throat can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction to a medication. If this occurs, medical attention should be sought immediately. Night sweats are not listed as a specific side effect of glimepiride. However, glimepiride can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). One of the symptoms of hypoglycemia is sweating. There can be many underlying factors that may lead to night sweats. It is very important to consult with your health care provider regarding the symptoms you are experiencing. Glimepiride (Amaryl) is an oral blood glucose lowering medication, classified as a sulfonylurea, which stimulates insulin release by the pancreas. Glimepiride is indicated, in conjunction with diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The most commonly reported adverse events associated with glimepiride treatment include dizziness, weakness, headache and nausea. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Kristen Dore, PharmD
By Julie Marks | Medically Reviewed by Ruthan White, PharmD
Latest Update: 2014-09-03
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