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Glimepiride

  • Take glimepiride shortly before or with your first main meal of the day.
  • Your doctor/nurse will want to see you regularly to review your condition - it is important that you attend these appointments.
  • It is important for you to eat regularly and know how to recognise the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
  • Your ability to concentrate may be affected if your diabetes is not well-controlled. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving.
  • Drinking alcohol is not recommended with glimepiride. Alcohol may produce low blood sugar and affect the control of your condition.

About glimepiride

Type of medicineOral sulphonylurea antidiabetic
Used forType 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent)
Also calledAmaryl®
Available asTablets

Insulin is made naturally in your pancreas and regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. If your body does not make enough insulin to meet its needs (or if it does not properly use the insulin it makes) this results in a condition called diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). In diabetes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood becomes too high.

Glimepiride works by increasing the amount of insulin that your pancreas releases. It also encourages the use of sugar in your blood by the cells in your body which need it. Together these help to decrease the amount of glucose in your blood.

Before taking glimepiride

Before taking glimepiride make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you are over 65 years of age.
  • If you have liver or kidney problems.
  • If you have diabetes that needs to be treated by insulin (type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes).
  • If you have been told by your doctor that you have ketoacidosis.
  • If you are about to undergo surgery.
  • If you have a rare blood condition called porphyria.
  • If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take glimepiride

  • Before taking glimepiride, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
  • Take glimepiride exactly as your doctor has told you to.
  • Try to take your tablet at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
  • Take glimepiride with a drink of water shortly before or during your first main meal.
  • If you forget to take a dose, take it with your next meal and then continue at the usual time on the next day. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Your doctor/nurse will want to see you regularly to review your condition - it is important that you attend these appointments.
  • You will need to have regular blood tests to check the amount of glucose in your blood. Your blood pressure and cholesterol levels may also be checked.
  • Your ability to concentrate may be affected if your diabetes is not well-controlled. This may be the case especially at the start of your treatment. Make sure your reactions and concentration are normal before driving or operating machinery.
  • It is important for you to eat regular meals.
  • It is also important that you follow the dietary advice that you will have been given, such as eating a well-balanced, healthy diet. Avoid sugary foods and reduce the amount of fat and salt in your food. Eat more fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich starchy foods, and oily fish.
  • You should exercise regularly. Ask your doctor or nurse to advise you on what exercise will be suitable for you.
  • Drinking alcohol is not recommended with glimepiride as it can affect the control of your diabetes.
  • Do not stop taking glimepiride without speaking to your doctor first. Treatment for diabetes is usually lifelong.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking glimepiride.

Can glimepiride cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects become troublesome.

Glimepiride side-effectsWhat can I do if I experience this?
Feeling or being sick, indigestionTake your dose during a meal. Stick to simple foods
DiarrhoeaDrink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids
ConstipationTry to eat a well-balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day

Important: Hypoglycaemia is when your blood sugar falls, causing you to sweat, feel weak and irritable, look pale, have a fast heart rate and tremble. This may happen because your dose of glimepiride is too high, the amount of sugar in your body is too low, or because of increased exercise or infection. If this happens, have a sugary snack or drink (not 'diet') immediately and then follow this with a starchy snack such as a sandwich. Low blood sugar caused by glimepiride may last for a few hours so it is also important that you contact your doctor or nurse for further advice.

Important: if you experience any jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) or a severe skin rash, speak with your doctor straight away.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store glimepiride

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light

Important information about all medicines


  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

  • Manufacturer's PIL, Amaryl®, sanofi-aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated February 2011.
  • British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.
The pharmacists and clinicians responsible for the production of this document are:
Original Author: Helen Allen
Last Checked: 13 Dec 2010
Current Version: Helen Allen
Document ID: 3232  Version: 25
Peer Reviewer: Shehzad Raza
© EMIS 2011
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