DRUG NAME: Amaryl
BRAND NAMES: Amaryl
GENERIC NAMES: glimepiride (glih MEH pih ride)
WHAT IS AMARYL:
- Glimepiride is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to help control blood sugar levels.
- Glimepiride is used with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. Insulin or metformin (Glucophage) may also be used in combination with glimepiride, if necessary.
- Glimepiride may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
HOW TO USE:
Take Amaryl tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your dose at the same time each day, with breakfast or your first large meal; do not take more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Elderly patients over 65 years old can have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating; blurred vision; breathing difficulties or excessive phlegm; cold sweats, increased sweating; cool, pale skin; coughing up blood; dark yellow or brown urine; dizziness, drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain; fever, chills, sore throat; seizures (convulsions); tremor or shakiness; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): diarrhea; headache; heartburn, stomach discomfort; increased sensitivity to the sun; nausea, vomiting; skin rash, redness, swelling, or itching.
PRECAUTIONS:
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to monitor regularly blood or urine sugar and urine ketones. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your blood sugar is high; you might need to change the dose of amaryl. Do not skip meals. If you are exercising much more than usual, you might need extra snacks to avoid side effects caused by low blood sugar. Alcohol can increase possible side effects of amaryl. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. If you have mild symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something containing sugar at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional. It is wise to check your blood sugar to confirm that it is low. It is important to recognize your own symptoms of low blood sugar so that you can treat them quickly. Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat and drink when you have serious symptoms of low blood sugar such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.
Amaryl can increase the sensitivity of your skin to the sun. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking amaryl.
Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Medicines for fungal or yeast infections (examples: fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole); rifampin; warfarin.
Many medications may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar, these include: alcohol containing beverages; aspirin and aspirin-like drugs; beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol); chromium; female hormones, such as estrogens or progestins, birth control pills; isoniazid; male hormones or anabolic steroids; medications for weight loss; medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough; niacin; pentamidine; phenytoin; quinolone antibiotics (examples: ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin); some herbal dietary supplements; steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone; thyroid hormones; water pills (diuretics).
Tell your prescriber or health care professional: about all other medicines you are taking including nonprescription medicines; if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol; if you smoke; or if you use illegal drugs. These can affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting Amaryl or any of your medicines.
What other drugs will affect glimepiride? Many other medicines may increase or decrease the effects of glimepiride or affect your condition. Before taking glimepiride, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- aspirin or another salicylate such as magnesium/ choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve);
- a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);
- a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil);
- a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), and others;
- a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others;
- a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), and others;
- a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and others;
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- isoniazid (Nydrazid);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate); or
- over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or weight loss medications.
You may require a Amaryl dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with glimepiride or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
NOTES:
Prescriber needs to know if you have any of these conditions: diabetic ketoacidosis; kidney disease; liver disease; major surgery; severe infection or injury; thyroid disease; an unusual or allergic reaction to glimepiride, sulfonamides, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives; pregnancy or recent attempts to get pregnant; breast-feeding.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a Amaryl dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
STORAGE:
Keep Amaryl out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature below 30[0]C (86[0]F). Throw away any unused Amaryl after the expiration date.
