Glimepiride (By mouth)
glye-MEP-ir-ide
Treats type 2 diabetes.
Drug classes
Hypoglycemic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Glimepiride is used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. It may be used alone, or in combination with insulin or another oral medicine such as metformin. In type 2 diabetes, insulin produced by the pancreas is not able to get sugar into the cells of the body where it can work properly. Using this medicine will help lower blood sugar when it is too high and help restore the way you use food to make energy. . Some people can control type 2 diabetes with diet alone or diet and exercise. Following a specially planned diet and exercising will always be important when you have diabetes, even when you are taking medicines. To work properly, the amount of glimepiride you take must be balanced against the amount and type of food you eat and the amount of exercise you do. If you change your diet, your exercise, or both, you will want to test your blood sugar to find out if it is too low. Your doctor will teach you what to do if this happens.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Take this medicine with breakfast or your first main meal of the day, unless your doctor tells you differently.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how glimepiride works. Tell your doctor if you are using cyclophosphamide, danazol, disopyramide, fluoxetine, miconazole, niacin, pentoxifylline, phenobarbital, phenytoin, probenecid, propoxyphene, somatropin, sulfinpyrazone, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin).
Tell your doctor if you are also using a beta-blocker or ACE inhibitor blood pressure medicine, stomach medicine, cholesterol medicine, birth control pills, medicine to treat an infection, an NSAID pain or arthritis medicine, a sulfa medicine, an MAO inhibitor, a diuretic (water pill), thyroid medicine, or medicine to treat asthma.
There are many other drugs that can interact with glimepiride and affect your blood sugar levels. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
If you are also taking colesevelam, take it at least 4 hours after you take glimepiride.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to glimepiride or a sulfa drug.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel problems, adrenal or pituitary gland problems, or G6PD deficiency. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Higher risk of heart or blood vessel problems Low blood sugarYour doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Shaking, trembling, sweating, fast or pounding heartbeat, lightheadedness, hunger, confusion
Trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat, yellow skin or eyes
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Weight gain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Amaryl
There may be other brand names for this medicine.