Amaryl

The active ingredient in Amaryl is glimepiride. Amaryl, or glimepiride, is a sulfonylurea. The mechanism of action involves binding to certain insulin-producing pancreatic cells in your body. This helps lower blood sugar by instructing your pancreas to produce more insulin.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the complete Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Amaryl. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Amaryl:

• Typically, Amaryl is taken once a day with the first main meal of the day. Observe your physician's advice. Drink a full glass of water along with the tablet.
• At your doctor's office, you might require additional blood tests in addition to routine blood sugar checks.
• Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause symptoms including extreme hunger, lightheadedness, agitation, confusion, anxiety, or shakiness. Eat or drink a fast-acting sugar source (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, non-diet soda, or glucose tablet) to increase your blood sugar as soon as possible.
• If your hypoglycemia is severe, your doctor can recommend a glucagon injection kit. Make sure your loved ones or close acquaintances are prepared to administer this injection to you in an emergency.
• Stress, disease, surgery, physical activity, drinking alcohol, and meal skipping can all have an impact on blood sugar levels. Before altering your dosage or drug schedule, see your physician.
• Amaryl is just one component of a treatment plan that could include blood sugar tests, nutrition, exercise, weight control, and specialized medical attention. Pay strict attention to your doctor's recommendations.

The most common side effects of glimepiride include:

• Low blood sugar levels (severe hypoglycemia), including anxiety and shakiness.
• Headache.
• Flu-like symptoms like a fever or cough.
• Nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Weight gain.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Amaryl. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Severe allergic reaction, including swelling, blisters, sores, skin rash, hives, and difficulty breathing.
• Low blood sugar with symptoms such as trembling, a racing heartbeat, perspiration, lightheadedness, anxiety, disorientation, and intense hunger.
• Increased risk of hemolytic anemia (low red blood cell count) with symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and weakness.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Amaryl. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Amaryl, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• A sulfa medication allergy.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (for treatment, contact your physician).
• Cardiovascular conditions or heart disease.
• Liver or kidney disease.
• Thyroid issues.
• G6PD, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficit, an enzyme deficiency.

Those who have previously experienced an allergy to glimepiride or sulfonamides.

Amaryl usually starts to decrease blood sugar to its fullest impact two to three hours after a dose. To avoid your blood sugar falling too low during this time, you must take this medication with a full meal.

When Amaryl is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Colesevelam.
• Clarithromycin.
• Chloramphenicol.
• Fluoxetine.
• Diuretics.
• Metformin.
• Warfarin.
• Miconazole.
• Medications called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, and Eldepryl.
• Beta-blockers.
• Probenecid.

One or two milligrams taken orally once a day with the first major meal of the day is the usual initial dosage. If you require additional blood sugar lowering, your doctor will increase your dosage every one to two weeks. 8 mg once daily is the maximum dosage.

Take the medication as soon as you can after the missed dose, but if your next dose is close, skip the missed one. Avoid taking two doses at once.

Store at room temperature and out of reach of children under 18 years of age.

Sanofi is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Amaryl.

There are several lower-cost generic name versions of Amaryl available.

With this drug, diabetes is often treated throughout the rest of one's life. Consult your doctor before stopping it. Your diabetes may worsen if you abruptly stop taking it.

If you are pregnant or become pregnant, use Amaryl as directed by your doctor. It's critical to manage diabetes during pregnancy since elevated blood sugar levels can harm both the mother and the unborn child. Just before your due date, though, you might need to temporarily stop taking Amaryl.

If your infant exhibits symptoms of hypoglycemia (such as excessive sleepiness, feeding issues, mottled skin, blue lips, feeling chilly or nervous, or experiencing a seizure) when you are taking glimepiride and breastfeeding, contact your doctor.