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In this Article

• What is glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What are the possible side effects of glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• How should I take glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Amaryl)?
• What happens if I overdose (Amaryl)?
• What should I avoid while taking glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What other drugs will affect glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Amaryl)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Amaryl)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A glimepiride overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), and coma.

What should I avoid while taking glimepiride (Amaryl)?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Glimepiride can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What other drugs will affect glimepiride (Amaryl)?

Using certain medicines can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following:

• albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin);
• clonidine (Catapres);
• reserpine;
• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others.

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking glimepiride with other drugs such as:

• clarithromycin (Biaxin);
• disopyramide (Norpace);
• fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem);
• probenecid (Benemid);
• an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and others;
• some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin and others);
• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); and
• sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Gantanol, Septra, and others).

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking glimepiride with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:

• isoniazid;
• diuretics (water pills);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);
• birth control pills and other hormones;
• seizure medicines (Dilantin and others);
• diet pills; and
• medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

These lists are not complete and there are many other medicines that can increase or decrease the effects of glimepiride on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about glimepiride.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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