Brand name:
Amaryl
Pronounced: AM-a-ril
Generic name: Glimepiride
Why is Amaryl prescribed?
Amaryl is an oral medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent)
diabetes when diet and exercise alone fail to control abnormally high
levels of blood sugar. Like other diabetes drugs classified as sulfonylureas,
Amaryl lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more
insulin. Amaryl is often prescribed along with the insulin-boosting
drug Glucophage. It may also be used in conjunction with insulin and
other diabetes drugs.
Most important fact about Amaryl
Always remember that Amaryl is an aid to, not a substitute for, good
diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan
may diminish the results of Amaryl and can lead to serious complications
such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too,
that Amaryl is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place
of insulin.
How should you take Amaryl?
Do not take more or less of Amaryl than directed by your doctor. Amaryl
should be taken with breakfast or the first main meal.
If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions...
Amaryl should be stored at room temperature in a well-closed container.
Amaryl side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Amaryl.
* Side effects may include:
Anemia and other blood disorders, blurred vision, diarrhea, dizziness,
headache, itching, liver problems and jaundice, muscle weakness,
nausea, sensitivity to light, skin rash and eruptions, stomach and
intestinal pain, vomiting
Amaryl, like all oral antidiabetics, can result in hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar). The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by missed meals,
alcohol, fever, injury, infection, surgery, excessive exercise, and
the addition of other medications such as Glucophage or insulin. To
avoid hypoglycemia, closely follow the dietary and exercise regimen
suggested by your doctor.
* Symptoms of mild low blood sugar may include:
Blurred vision, cold sweats, dizziness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, headache,
hunger, light-headedness, nausea, nervousness
* Symptoms of more severe low blood sugar may include:
Coma, disorientation, pale skin, seizures, shallow breathing .
Ask your doctor what steps you should take if you experience mild
hypoglycemia. If symptoms of severe low blood sugar occur, contact
your doctor immediately; severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency.
Why should Amaryl not be prescribed?
Avoid Amaryl if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.
Do not take Amaryl to correct diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening
medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin and marked by excessive
thirst, nausea, fatigue, and fruity breath). This condition should
be treated with insulin.
Special warnings about Amaryl
It's possible that drugs such as Amaryl may lead to more heart problems
than diet treatment alone, or treatment with diet and insulin. If you
have a heart condition, you may want to discuss this with your doctor.
When taking Amaryl, you should check your blood and urine regularly
for abnormally high sugar (glucose) levels. The effectiveness of any
oral antidiabetic, including Amaryl, may decrease with time. This may
occur because of either a diminished responsiveness to Amaryl or a
worsening of the diabetes.
Even people with well-controlled diabetes may find that stress such
as injury, infection, surgery, or fever triggers a loss of control.
If this happens, your doctor may recommend that you add insulin to
your treatment with Amaryl or that you temporarily stop taking Amaryl
and use insulin instead.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Amaryl
If Amaryl is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining Amaryl with the following:
Airway-opening drugs such as Proventil and Ventolin
Aspirin and other salicylate medications
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) and chlorothiazide
(Diuril)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Heart and blood pressure medications called beta blockers, including
Tenormin, Inderal, and Lopressor
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
MAO inhibitors (antidepressants such as Nardil and Parnate)
Miconazole (Monistat)
Nicotinic acid (Nicobid)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn,
Nuprin, Ponstel, and Voltaren
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Probenecid (Benemid)
Sulfa drugs such as Bactrim DS, Septra DS
Thyroid medications such as Synthroid
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Use alcohol with care; excessive alcohol intake can cause low blood
sugar.
Special information if you are pregnant
or breastfeeding
Do not take Amaryl while pregnant. Since studies suggest the importance
of maintaining normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy, your doctor
may prescribe injected insulin instead. Drugs similar to Amaryl do
appear in breast milk and may cause low blood sugar in nursing infants.
You should not take Amaryl while nursing. If diet alone does not control
your sugar levels, your doctor may prescribe injected insulin.
Recommended dosage for Amaryl
ADULTS
Overdosage
An overdose of Amaryl can cause low blood sugar (see "What side
effects may occur?" for symptoms).
Eating sugar or a sugar-based product will often correct mild hypoglycemia.
For severe hypoglycemia, seek medical attention immediately.
