Glimepiride (By mouth)

Introduction

Glimepiride (glye-MEP-ir-ide)

Used together with proper diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas.

Brand Name(s)

Amaryl

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.Take this medicine with the first meal of the day.
• To best manage your diabetes, carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet, exercise, or weight loss. Test your blood sugar regularly.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

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
• Blurred vision or other vision changes.
• Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness, or hunger.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Headache.
• Sensitivity of your skin to sunlight.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• There are many drugs that can interact with glimepiride and change the way the medicine works. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using. These especially include other medicines to treat your diabetes (such as insulin), pain or arthritis medicines called NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil®, or Celebrex®), a blood pressure medicine (such as metoprolol, propranolol, Inderal®, Lopressor®, or Tenormin®), disopyramide (Norpace®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, Biaxin®, Cipro®, Levaquin®, or Tequin®), isoniazid (Nydrazid®), nicotinic acid (Nicobid®, Nicolar®), or cotrimoxazole (Bactrim®, Cotrim®, Septra®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin®, Chloroptic®), probenecid (Benemid®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), steroid medicine (such as methylprednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), or a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Phenergan®, or Thorazine®). Tell your doctor if you are also using miconazole (Lotrimin® AF, Monistat® 3), fluconazole (Diflucan®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), thyroid replacement therapy, diuretics or "water pills" (such as Dyazide® or Lasix®), birth control pills, or an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver problems, heart or blood vessel disease, or an adrenal or pituitary gland problem. Tell your doctor if you also have a condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• Do not breastfeed while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may not work as well if you have surgery, get hurt, or get sick. If you have severe vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, call your doctor for instructions.
• You may have low blood sugar while you are taking glimepiride, especially if you miss a meal, exercise for a long time, or drink alcohol.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• This medicine is only part of a complete program for controlling diabetes. You can also help yourself by eating a healthy diet, watching your weight, and getting regular exercise.

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