Glimepiride (original trade name Amaryl) is an orally available medium-to-long-acting sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug. It is sometimes classified as either the first third-generation sulfonylurea, or as second-generation.

Uses of Glimepiride:

It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Glimepiride?

• If you have an allergy to glimepiride or any other part of glimepiride.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem or type 1 diabetes.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
• If the patient is a child. Do not give this medicine to a child.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with glimepiride.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Glimepiride?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take glimepiride. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Low blood sugar may happen with this medicine. Very low blood sugar can lead to seizures, passing out, long lasting brain damage, and sometimes death. Talk with the doctor.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• If you also take colesevelam, take it at least 4 hours after you take glimepiride.
• It may be harder to control your blood sugar during times of stress like when you have a fever, an infection, an injury, or surgery. A change in level of physical activity or exercise and a change in diet may also affect your blood sugar. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may raise the chance of death from heart disease. Talk with your doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using glimepiride while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Glimepiride) best taken?

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with the first meal of the day, if taking once a day.
• Take glimepiride at the same time of day.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• Keep taking this medicine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance of low blood sugar may be raised when glimepiride is used with other drugs for high blood sugar (diabetes). Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do if you get low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Glimepiride?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.
• Weight gain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.