Brand Name: Amaryl
Generic Name: Glimepiride

Glimepiride

(gly-mep'er-ide)

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Diabetes mellitus, type 2

BRAND NAME
Amaryl

DRUG CLASS
Antidiabetic/Sulfonylurea (2nd generation)

DESCRIPTION
Amaryl used for the treatment of noninsulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
These are usually mild and include stomach and bowel upsets (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.) and headache. Allergic reactions (including transient rashes) may rarely occur.

CAUTIONS

• Blood tests and monitoring of liver function should be carried out regularly during treatment.
• Glimepiride should not be taken by those with severely impaired liver or kidney function or by pregnant women.
• Amaryl should be used with caution in the elderly.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

• Increased action of: digitalis, glycosides
• Increased hypoglycemic effects: insulin, MAOIs, cimetidine, chloramphenicol, guanethidine, methyldopa, nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, salicylates, probenecid, androgens, anticoagulants, clofibrate, fenfluramine, fluconazole, gemfibrozil, histamine H₂ antagonists, magnesium salts, phenylbutazone, sulfinpyrazone, sulfonamides, tricyclics, urinary acidifiers
• Effect may be decreased: thiazide diuretics, rifampin, isoniazid, cholestyramine, diazoxide, hydantoins, urinary alkalinizers, charcoal
• May mask symptoms of hypoglycemia: beta-blockers

FOOD INTERACTIONS
Alcohol

HERBAL INTERACTIONS

• Decreased hypoglycemic effect: broom, buchu, dandelion, glucosamine, juniper
• Increased or decreased hypoglycemic effect: chromium, fenugreek, ginseng, coenzyme Q-10
• Increased glucose tolerance: karela
• Decreased antidiabetic effect: bee pollen, blue cohosh, broom, chromium, elecampane, eucalyptus, gotu kola
• Increased antidiabetic effect: alfalfa, aloe, basil, bay, bilberry, bitter melon, black catechu, buchu, burdock, coriander, dandelion, eyebright (po), fenugreek, garlic, ginseng, glucomannan, glucosamine, goat's rue, gymnema, horehound, horse chestnut, jambul, myrrh, myrtle

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
Pregnancy category C; inappropriate for use during pregnancy due to inadequacy for blood glucose control, potential for prolonged neonatal hypoglycemia, and risk of congenital abnormalities.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

• Avoid alcohol while using this drug.
• Take this drug once a day with breakfast or the first main meal of the day.
• Monitor urine or blood for glucose and ketones as prescribed.
• Do not discontinue this drug without consulting your health care provider; continue with diet and exercise program for diabetes control.
• Do not use this drug if you are pregnant.
• Report fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, rash, dark urine, light-colored stools, hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic reactions.