Amaryl

Amaryl Drug Information

• Amaryl Overview

  Glimepiride is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used with other diabetes medications. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Glimepiride belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfonylureas. It lowers blood sugar by causing the release of your body's natural insulin.

• How to Use Amaryl

  Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking glimepiride and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Amaryl by mouth with breakfast or the first main meal of the day, as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The Dosage of Amaryl is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use Amaryl regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start Amaryl at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you are already taking another diabetes drug (such as chlorpropamide), follow your doctor's directions carefully for stopping the old drug and starting glimepiride. Colesevelam can decrease the absorption of glimepiride. If you are taking colesevelam, take glimepiride at least 4 hours before taking colesevelam. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (your blood sugar is too high or too low).

• Amaryl Precautions

  Before taking glimepiride, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Amaryl may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Amaryl, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, certain hormonal conditions (adrenal/pituitary insufficiency, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone-SIADH), electrolyte imbalance (hyponatremia). You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcohol while taking Amaryl because it can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar. It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery). Consult your doctor because this may require a change in your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar testing. Amaryl may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Amaryl, especially low blood sugar. During pregnancy, Amaryl should be used only when clearly needed. Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Discuss a plan with your doctor for managing your blood sugar while pregnant. Your doctor may substitute insulin for Amaryl during pregnancy. If glimepiride is used, it may be switched to insulin at least 2 weeks before the expected delivery date because of glimepiride's risk of causing low blood sugar in your newborn. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if Amaryl passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using Amaryl is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Amaryl Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Amaryl, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Amaryl Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Beta-blocker medications (including metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that could affect your blood sugar. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

• Amaryl Side Effects

  What are Amaryl side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Amaryl may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Amaryl as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Amaryl

  The side effects of Amaryl may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Amaryl. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Amaryl may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Amaryl, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Amaryl.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Amaryl, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Amaryl and the side effects associated with Amaryl are described in the following:

  Common Amaryl Side Effects

  Severe

  • hypoglycemic disorder

  Less Severe

  • dizziness
  • headache disorder
  • nausea
  • weight gain

  Less Frequent Amaryl Side Effects

  Severe

  • hypoglycemic disorder

  Less Severe

  • flu-like symptoms

  Rare or Very Rare Amaryl Side Effects

  Severe

  • SIADH syndrome
  • hyponatremia
  • porphyria cutanea tarda
  • hemolytic anemia
  • pancytopenia
  • aplastic anemia
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • agranulocytosis
  • leukopenia
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
  • cutaneous vasculitis
  • hepatitis
  • disease of liver
  • Erythema
  • urticaria
  • abnormal hepatic function tests
  • Anaphylaxis
  • hypotension
  • angioedema
  • dyspnea

  Less Severe

  • skin photosensitivity
  • pruritus of skin
  • alopecia
  • dysgeusia

• Amaryl Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Amaryl when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.