Precautions
- Take glipizide extended-release tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take them.
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how much glipizide extended-release tablets to take and when to take them.
- Take glipizide extended-release tablets by mouth, 1 time each day with breakfast or your first meal of the day.
What time of day is best to take glipizide?
Glimepiride is used along with diet and exercise, and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin (a natural substance that is ...
When is glimepiride working the hardest?
Low blood sugar may happen if you:
- take too much of some types of diabetes medicines
- eat meals irregularly or skip meals
- are fasting
- don't eat a healthy diet and aren't getting enough nutrients
- change what you eat
- increase your physical activity without eating more to compensate
- drink alcohol, especially after skipping a meal
- take some other medicines or herbal medicines at the same time
When should I take glimepiride 1 mg?
amaryl (glimepiride) effect/time: amaryl ( glimepiride) works by stimulating beta cells in pancreas to produce insulin .it should start working right away as it gets absorped, if after two weeks you dont see its effect on blood sugar, than you will need to increase the dose gradually to the maximum dose , to see the ful effect.often you have to …
How quickly should glimepiride be working?
How much does glimepiride lower blood sugar?
How many hours does glimepiride last?
Is glimepiride stronger than metformin?
What is the best way to take glimepiride?
Can glimepiride be taken twice daily?
What should you avoid while taking glimepiride?
Can you take glimepiride and metformin together?
What is the safest drug for type 2 diabetes?
Why is glimepiride given with metformin?
In a nutshell, the two medicines together prevent the blood glucose levels from rising to very high levels thus keeping your Diabetes under control.
Is glimepiride hard on the kidneys?
What are the long term side effects of glimepiride?
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms may include: trembling or shaking. nervousness or anxiety. irritability. sweating. lightheadedness or dizziness. headache. fast heart rate or palpitations. intense hunger. fatigue or tiredness.
- headache.
- nausea.
- dizziness.
- weakness.
- unexplained weight gain.
Which is better Jardiance or glimepiride?
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use glimepiride if you are allergic to it, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with in...
How Should I Take Glimepiride?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A glimepiride overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.Sym...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Glimepiride?
If you also take colesevelam, avoid taking it within 4 hours after you take glimepiride.Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may inter...
Glimepiride Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:Initial dose: 1 to 2 mg orally once a dayMaintenance dose: Increase in 1 or 2 mg increments no more frequently...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Glimepiride?
You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you take glimepiride with other drugs that can lower blood sugar, such as: 1. exen...
How to avoid glimepiride?
Avoid alcohol. Ensure you wear an alert bracelet or carry a card that says you have diabetes and are taking glimepiride. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your doctor. Make sure you eat regular meals and always carry a reliable source of glucose with you (such as glucose tablets).
How does glimepiride work?
How it works. Glimepiride may be used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Glimepiride stimulates the release of insulin from beta cells within the pancreas. Glimepiride belongs to the class of medicines known as sulfonylureas. 2. Upsides. May be used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Why is glimepiride used?
Glimepiride is used to help maintain blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. It may cause nausea and people who take glimepiride should always be alert for symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
How long does it take for glimepiride to work?
Glimepiride takes about two to three hours to reach its maximal effect after a single dose. 7. Interactions. Medicines that interact with glimepiride may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with glimepiride.
What medications interact with glimepiride?
Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. Common medications that may interact with glimepiride include: aloe vera. antidepressants such as amitriptyline, clomipramine, or SSRIs. antifungal agents, such as fluconazole, miconazole, or voriconazole. beta-blockers, such as acebutolol and metoprolol.
What are the side effects of taking glimepiride?
Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), dizziness, lack of energy, headache, and nausea.
Can glimepiride cause hypoglycemia?
May cause severe hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar) which may affect your ability to drive or perform hazardous tasks. Hypoglycemia is more likely to occur with low-calorie diets, after severe or prolonged exercise, or when glimepiride is taken with alcohol. Always keep simple sugars on hand in case of hypoglycemia.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
What is glimepiride used for?
Indications and Usage for Glimepiride. Glimepiride tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. Limitations of Use.
What is ALT in Glimepiride?
Elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)#N#In 11 pooled placebo-controlled trials of Glimepiride, 1.9% of Glimepiride-treated patients and 0.8% of placebo-treated patients developed serum ALT greater than 2 times the upper limit of the reference range.
How long does it take to wash out of sulfonylurea?
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled monotherapy trial of 14 weeks duration, patients already on sulfonylurea therapy underwent a 3-week washout period then were randomized to Glimepiride 1 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, or placebo. Patients randomized to Glimepiride 4 mg or 8 mg underwent forced-titration from an initial dose of 1 mg to these final doses, as tolerated [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. The overall incidence of possible hypoglycemia (defined by the presence of at least one symptom that the investigator believed might be related to hypoglycemia; a concurrent glucose measurement was not required) was 4% for Glimepiride 1 mg, 17% for Glimepiride 4 mg, 16% for Glimepiride 8 mg and 0% for placebo. All of these events were self-treated.
Does glimepiride lower blood glucose?
Glimepiride primarily lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. Sulfonylureas bind to the sulfonylurea receptor in the pancreatic beta-cell plasma membrane, leading to closure of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, thereby stimulating the release of insulin.
Is glimepiride safe for children?
Glimepiride is not recommended in pediatric patients because of its adverse effects on body weight and hypoglycemia. The pharmacokinetics of a 1 mg single dose of Glimepiride was evaluated in 30 patients with type 2 diabetes (male=7; female=23) between ages 10 and 17 years.
Does Colesevelam reduce plasma concentration?
Concomitant Administration of Colesevelam. Colesevelam can reduce the maximum plasma concentration and total exposure of Glimepiride when the two are coadministered. However, absorption is not reduced when Glimepiride is administered 4 hours prior to colesevelam.
Can sulfonylurea cause hypoglycemia?
All sulfonylureas, including Glimepiride, can cause severe hypoglycemia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The patient’s ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycemia. These impairments may present a risk in situations where these abilities are especially important, such as driving or operating other machinery. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness or convulsions and may result in temporary or permanent impairment of brain function or death.#N#Patients must be educated to recognize and manage hypoglycemia. Use caution when initiating and increasing Glimepiride doses in patients who may be predisposed to hypoglycemia (e.g., the elderly, patients with renal impairment, patients on other anti-diabetic medications). Debilitated or malnourished patients, and those with adrenal, pituitary, or hepatic impairment are particularly susceptible to the hypoglycemic action of glucose-lowering medications. Hypoglycemia is also more likely to occur when caloric intake is deficient, after severe or prolonged exercise, or when alcohol is ingested.#N#Early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia may be different or less pronounced in patients with autonomic neuropathy, the elderly, and in patients who are taking beta-adrenergic blocking medications or other sympatholytic agents. These situations may result in severe hypoglycemia before the patient is aware of the hypoglycemia.
What are the side effects of taking glimepiride?
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glimepiride: Rare. Difficulty with swallowing. dizziness.
What are the symptoms of overdose on glimepiride?
unusual bleeding or bruising. upper right abdominal or stomach pain. yellow eyes or skin. Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking glimepiride: Symptoms of overdose. Anxiety. blurred vision.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention 1 Difficulty with swallowing 2 dizziness 3 fast heartbeat 4 hives 5 itching 6 puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue 7 shortness of breath 8 skin rash 9 tightness in the chest 10 unusual tiredness or weakness 11 wheezing
Does glimepiride need medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of glimepiride may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2
Initial dose: 1 to 2 mg orally once a day Maintenance dose: Increase in 1 or 2 mg increments no more frequently than every 1 to 2 weeks based on glycemic response Maximum dose: 8 mg per day Comments: -Administer with breakfast or first main meal of the day. -In patients who are at increased risk for hypoglycemia, start with 1 mg orally once a day and titrate slowly. -When patients are being transferred to this drug from a longer half-life sulfonylurea, monitor 1 to 2 weeks for overlapping drug effect. Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus..
Usual Geriatric Dose for Diabetes Type 2
Initial dose: 1 mg orally once a day; titrate slowly and monitor closely
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetes Type 2
Not recommended because of adverse effects on body weight and hypoglycemia.
Renal Dose Adjustments
Initial dose: 1 mg orally once a day; titrate slowly and monitor closely
Dose Adjustments
Patients who are sensitive to hypoglycemic drugs should start at 1 mg orally once a day; dose titration should be conservative. Concomitant Use with Colesevelam: -This drug should be administered at least 4 hours prior to colesevelam to ensure absorption Dosage adjustments may be required during concomitant therapy with inducers, inhibitors, or substrates of CYP450 2C9..
Precautions
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years. Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Other Comments
Administration advice: -Take with breakfast or first main meal of the day -When coadministered with colesevelam, this drug should be taken at least 4 hours prior General: -This drug should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. -Hemolytic anemia may occur in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient patients; consider a non-sulfonylurea alternative. -Improvement in glucose tolerance may take place after a few weeks of treatment, monitor clinical status closely within the first 4 to 8 weeks and at regular intervals thereafter to ascertain whether it is possible to reduce the dose. -During periods of stress such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery, patients may need to temporarily switch to insulin therapy. Monitoring: -Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary to ensure safety and efficacy Patient advice: -Patients should understand the importance of exercise and dietary control in the management of their disease. -Patients should understand that alcohol ingestion, intense or prolonged exercise, skipping meals, illness, or lifestyle changes may increase their risks for hypoglycemia; they should know how to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia and be prepared to treat it. -Patients should be careful about driving and use of machinery, especially when at risk for hypoglycemia. -Patients should speak with their health care provider during periods of stress such as fever, trauma, or illness, as their diabetes management may need to be changed. -Advise patients to speak to physician or health care professional if pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding..
Can medicine cause side effects?
Side Effects. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Can overdose go away?
Symptoms of overdose. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Why is glimepiride prescribed?
Doctors prescribe glimepiride to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Glimepiride increases the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels. People who take this medication must, therefore, check their blood sugar levels regularly. Glimepiride may also cause other side effects, especially when taken with certain other ...
What are the side effects of glimepiride?
Possible side effects of glimepiride include headaches, nausea, and dizziness. The most common side effect people may experience when taking glimepiride, is hypoglycemia. This is the medical term for blood sugar levels that fall below 70 milligrams per deciliter. (mg/dL).
What is the first line of treatment for elevated glucose levels?
The first-line treatment for elevated levels is metformin (Glucophage). However, a doctor may prescribe glimepiride for people who are unable to take metformin. after 3 months of taking metformin, the doctor may choose to add glimepiride. Alternatively, they may add another type of antidiabetic medication.
What is glimepiride used for?
Glimepiride is an oral medication that doctors prescribe to treat type 2 diabetes. Glimepiride belongs to a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. Sulfonylureas work by increasing the amount of insulin released from the pancreas.
How much glimepiride should I take?
People should take it with breakfast or the first meal of the day. People will usually start on a low dose of glimepiride, which is about 1 mg or 2 mg once per day.
How much glucose should I take for seizures?
The American Diabetes Association recommend that people follow the 15-15 rule when taking glucose to treat hypoglycemia. The 15-15 rule recommends that people consume 15 grams (g) of carbohydrate and check their blood sugar levels 15 minutes later.
Can a doctor prescribe sulfonylurea?
In some cases, a doctor may go ahead and prescribe a sulfonylurea to a person with a sulfa allergy. However, the doctor will monitor the person closely to check for early signs of a repeat allergic reaction. As well as sulfa allergy, some people may experience other general hypersensitivities to the drug.

How It Works
Glimepiride is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be used with other diabetes medications.
May Treat: Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Brand Names: Amaryl
Drug Class: Antihyperglycemic - Sulfonylurea Derivatives
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
May Treat: Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Brand Names: Amaryl
Drug Class: Antihyperglycemic - Sulfonylurea Derivatives
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: This drug should not be given to breastfeeding mothers
Alcohol: Avoid intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Upsides
Downsides
Bottom Line
Tips
Interactions
- May be used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Used in addition to diet and exercise.
- Taken orally (by mouth).
- Available in 1mg, 2mg, and 4mg tablets.
References
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), dizziness, lack of energy, headache, and nausea. 2. May cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which may affect your ability to drive or perform hazardous tas…
Further Information
- Glimepiride is used to help maintain blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. It may cause nausea and people who take glimepiride should always be alert for symptoms of hypoglycemia (low...