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Glimepiride |
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What is Glimepiride and why is it prescribed? Glimepiride is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone fail to control abnormally high levels of blood sugar. Like other diabetes drugs classified as sulfonylureas, Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Always remember that Glimepiride is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan may diminish the results of Glimepiride and can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glimepiride is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin. How should you take Glimepiride? Follow your doctors directions for taking Glimepiride. Do not take more or less of this medication than directed by your doctor. Glimepiride should be taken with breakfast or the first main meal. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. Glimepiride should be stored at room temperature in a well-closed container. Are there any Glimepiride side effects? Glimepiride side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Less common or rare Glimepiride side effects may include anemia and other blood disorders, blurred vision, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, itching, liver problems and jaundice, muscle weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light, skin rash and eruptions, stomach and intestinal pain, and vomiting. Glimepiride, like all oral antidiabetics, can result in hypoglycemia. The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by missed meals, alcohol, fever, injury, infection, surgery, excessive exercise, and the addition of other medications such as Glucophage or insulin. To avoid hypoglycemia, closely follow the dietary and exercise regimen suggested by your doctor. Symptoms of mild low blood sugar may include blurred vision, cold sweats, dizziness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, headache, hunger, light-headedness, nausea, and nervousness. Symptoms of more severe low blood sugar may include coma, disorientation, pale skin, seizures, and shallow breathing. Ask your doctor what steps you should take if you experience mild hypoglycemia. If symptoms of severe low blood sugar occur, contact your doctor immediately. Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Glimepiride? If Glimepiride is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Glimepiride with Airway-opening drugs (such as Proventil and Ventolin), Aspirin and other salicylate medications, Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin), Corticosteroids (such as prednisone/Deltasone), Diuretics (such as hydrochlorothiazide/HydroDIURIL) and chlorothiazide/Diuril), Estrogens (such as Premarin), Heart and blood pressure medications called beta blockers (including Tenormin, Inderal, and Lopressor), Isoniazid (Nydrazid), Major tranquilizers (such as Mellaril and Thorazine), MAO inhibitors (antidepressants such as Nardil and Parnate), Miconazole (Monistat), Nicotinic acid (Nicobid), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, Nuprin, Ponstel, and Voltaren), Oral contraceptives, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Probenecid (Benemid), Sulfa drugs (such as Bactrim DS, Septra DS), Thyroid medications (such as Synthroid), or Warfarin (Coumadin). Use alcohol with care. Excessive alcohol intake can cause low blood sugar. Are there any special warnings about Glimepiride? It is possible that drugs such as Glimepiride may lead to more heart problems than diet treatment alone, or treatment with diet and insulin. If you have a heart condition, you may want to discuss this with your doctor. When taking Glimepiride, you should check your blood and urine regularly for abnormally high sugar levels. The effectiveness of any oral antidiabetic, including Glimepiride, may decrease with time. This may occur because of either a diminished responsiveness to the medication or a worsening of the diabetes. Even people with well-controlled diabetes may find that stress such as injury, infection, surgery, or fever triggers a loss of control. If this happens, your doctor may recommend that you add insulin to your treatment with Glimepiride or that you temporarily stop taking Glimepiride and use insulin instead. |
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