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Amaryl (glimepiride)

What brand names are available for glimepiride?

Amaryl

Is glimepiride available as a generic drug?

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Do I need a prescription for glimepiride?

Yes

What are the uses for glimepiride?

  • Glimepiride is used for controlling blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes in addition to diet and exercise.
  • Management of blood sugar with glimepiride can help decrease the risk of eye, kidney, and nerve damage.
  • It is not used for treating type 1 diabetes.

What are the side effects of glimepiride?

Common side effects of glimepiride include:

A rash and allergic reactions also may occur. Flu-like symptoms have also been reported with glimepiride therapy.

Possible serious side effects of glimepiride include:

  • Anemia
  • Low blood platelets
  • Low sodium
  • Sensitivity to sunlight
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Serious allergic reactions

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur during glimepiride therapy. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

Glimepiride is a derivative of a sulfonamide drug. People allergic to other sulfonamide-related drugs may develop an allergic reaction to glimepiride. Anyone who has an allergic reaction to sulfa drugs should not take glimepiride.

What is the dosage for glimepiride?

Like other medicines used to treat diabetes, the dose of glimepiride is individualized using periodic measurements of blood sugar to determine the best dose. The usual starting dose is 1 or 2 mg given orally once daily with breakfast or the first major meal of the day. The dose may be increased by 1-2 mg in 1-2 weeks interval up to 8mg maximum based on blood sugar response and given once daily.

Which drugs or supplements interact with glimepiride?

SLIDESHOW

Type 2 Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments See Slideshow

Is glimepiride safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

  • In animal studies, glimepiride and other sulfonylureas were associated with a higher risk of fetal death. However, there have been no good studies in women. Abnormal blood sugar concentrations (high or low) during pregnancy increase the risk of abnormalities in the fetus. Therefore, physicians must carefully weigh the benefits and risks of sulfonylurea treatment during pregnancy. Insulin is the drug of choice for treating diabetes in pregnant women.
  • It is not known if glimepiride is excreted in breast milk like other sulfonylureas. Because of the risk of low blood sugar in the infant, it is recommended that glimepiride be discontinued in nursing mothers. If therapy other than diet and exercise is needed, insulin is preferred.

What else should I know about glimepiride?

What preparations of glimepiride are available?

Tablets: 1, 2, and 4 mg

How should I keep glimepiride stored?

Tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).

Health News

Summary

Amaryl (glimepiride) is a drug prescribed to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes that cannot be controlled by a strict diabetes diet. Side effects include:

Drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes

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References
Medically reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP; Board Certified Emergency Medicine

REFERENCE:

FDA Prescribing Information