Amaryl (glimepiride)

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Brand Name

Amaryl {Sanofi-Aventis}

Generic Name

glimepiride, pronounced glye MEP ir ide

 

What is Amaryl?

Amaryl is an oral diabetes medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Amaryl can help tocontrol your blood sugar levels by regulating the amount of insulin your body produces aftereating. Patients with type 2 diabetes may be prescribed Amaryl alongside other diabetesmedications, but Amaryl should not be used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes.

Amaryl may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts about Amaryl

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Amaryl, as it can lower your blood sugar.

Amaryl is in FDA pregnancy category C. You should not use Amaryl if you are pregnant, planningto become pregnant or nursing. We do not yet know the effects Amaryl has on an unborn baby.Similar diabetes medications have been reported to cause severe hypoglycemia in newborn babieswhose mothers had used the medication near the time of their delivery. Because we do not know ifAmaryl passes into breast milk you should not breast-feed while taking Amaryl.

You should always keep a source of sugar available in case you experience symptoms of lowblood sugar. Sources of sugar include hard candy, orange juice, glucose gel, or milk.

Amaryl is only a part of a complete program of treatment to help your blood sugar condition.Your doctor may prescribe a treatment plan for you which may include diet, exercise, weightcontrol, foot care, eye care, and dental care, as well as regular testing of your blood sugar.You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

You will need to check your blood sugar often, particularly during a time of illness, if youtravel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, skip meals or are under great stress. Thesefactors can affect your glucose levels. Tell your doctor if your levels are not where they shouldbe and you may need a dose adjustment of Amaryl. Your doctor will decide if you need a dosagechange, and how much of a change you may need. Do not attempt to change your dose of Amarylwithout consulting your doctor first.

 

Before You Take Amaryl

If you are allergic to glimepiride or an allergy to sulfa drugs you should not takeAmaryl.

If you have a history of heart disease or liver disease you should tell your doctor beforestarting treatment with Amaryl.

If you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis or if you are dehydrated you may not be acandidate to take Amaryl.

Tell your doctor if you are on dialysis or have kidney disease before starting treatment withAmaryl.

Tell your doctor if you have an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenasedeficiency, or G6PD.

If you have adrenal or pituitary gland problems, or are under-nourished you should tell yourdoctor before you take Amaryl.

Amaryl may cause you to be more sensitive to the effects of the sun. You should wear SPF andprotective clothing when going outdoors while you are taking Amaryl, and avoid tanning beds.

 

Amaryl Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications, as they maymake it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar:

  • albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
  • beta-blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate),metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran) and sotalol(Betapace)
  • clonidine (Catapres)
  • reserpine
  • Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications, as they may make you morelikely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if taken with Amaryl:
  • antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin),norfloxacin (Noroxin) and ofloxacin (Floxin)
  • aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
  • blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin)
  • disopyramide (Norpace)
  • exenatide (Byetta)
  • fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • oral diabetes medications like acarbose (Precose), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset),pioglitazone (Actos), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
  • probenecid (Benemid)
  • sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Gantanol, Septra)
  • The following medications may be more likely to cause you to have hyperglycemia (high bloodsugar) if you take Amaryl with them:
  • asthma or allergy medications
  • birth control pills or other hormones
  • cold medications
  • diuretics or water pills
  • isoniazid
  • niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Niaspan, Simcor and Slo-Niacin)
  • phenothiazine (Compazine)
  • seizure medicines like Dilantin
  • steroids (prednisone)
  • thyroid medications like Synthroid
  • You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescriptiondrugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You shouldnot begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Amaryl

You should take Amaryl exactly as directed by your doctor . It is important that you do nottake Amaryl in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow thedirections on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctorinstructs you to change your dose.

Amaryl should be taken at breakfast or with the first main meal of the day.

Take Amaryl with a full glass of water.

While you are taking Amaryl you will need to have your blood sugar checked regularly. Plan tosee your doctor often to be sure that Amaryl is working for you. You should know the signs of lowblood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. These signs are headache, hunger, weakness,sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating.

Amaryl is part of a complete program of treatment that your doctor may have prescribed foryou. This program may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dentalcare, and regular monitoring of your blood sugar. You should follow your diet, medication, andexercise routines exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Amaryl should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Amaryl you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose isless than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

 

Amaryl Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Amaryl and seekemergency medical help immediately:

  • allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips,throat or tongue
  • clay colored stools
  • dark colored urine
  • faint feeling
  • muscle pain and weakness
  • nausea and vomiting with loss of appetite
  • numbness or tingly feeling
  • pale skin with easy bruising or bleeding, fever and unusual weakness
  • restlessness or irritability with confusion or hallucinations
  • seizures
  • severe skin reaction, including a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burningin your eyes, skin pain and followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in theface or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling
  • shortness of breath
  • upper stomach pain with a low grade fever and jaundice

Less serious Amaryl side effects may include:

  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • increased sensitivity to sunlight
  • nausea
  • skin rash with mild itching
  • stomach pain
  • tired feeling
  • vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Amaryl. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Amaryl Description and Dosing

Amaryl is available in oral tablet dosages of 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg doses. The 1 mg tablet ispink, flat-faced, oblong with notched sides at the double bisect, and imprinted with “AMA RYL” onone side. The 2 mg tablet is green, flat-faced, oblong with notched sides at the double bisect,and imprinted with “AMA RYL” on one side. The 4 mg tablet is blue, flat-faced, oblong withnotched sides at the double bisect, and imprinted with “AMA RYL” on one side.

Your doctor will decide what dose of Amaryl is right for you. Do not attempt to alter orchange your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Amaryl you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

 

Ingredients in Amaryl

The main ingredient in Amaryl is glimepiride. The inactive ingredients are lactose (hydrous),sodium starch glycolate, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate. Inaddition, Amaryl 1 mg tablets contain Ferric Oxide Red, Amaryl 2 mg tablets contain Ferric OxideYellow and FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, and Amaryl 4 mg tablets contain FD&C Blue #2Aluminum Lake.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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