Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: glimepiride
BRAND NAME: Amaryl
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Glimepiride is an oral
blood sugar-lowering drug in a class of medicines for controlling
diabetes called
sulfonylureas. Glimepiride is related to other sulfonylureas
including glyburide (Micronase; Diabeta), glipizide (Glucotrol),
tolbutamide (Orinase) and tolazamide (Tolinase).
Glimepiride
is used in type II diabetes, the most common type of diabetes that is found in
90% of patients with diabetes. In type II diabetes, insulin usually is not necessary to control the blood
sugar. Instead, diet and oral medications often are sufficient.
Intolerance to sugar that results in elevated blood sugar is caused
by reduced insulin secretion by the pancreas and resistance to
insulin's effects by the body's cells. Glimepiride lowers the sugar
level in the blood by stimulating insulin to be secreted from the
pancreas into the blood. Insulin causes sugar to leave the blood and
enter cells throughout the body.
Glimepiride was approved by the FDA in December of 1995.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 1mg, 2mg, 4mg.
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored below 86 F
(30 C).
PRESCRIBED FOR: It is believed that control of blood sugar
in people with diabetes decreases the risks of
eye,
kidney, and
nerve damage.
Glimepiride is used to treat type II diabetes that cannot be
controlled by a strict diabetes diet alone. If sulfonylureas are not
effective, other oral drugs or insulin may be used.
DOSING: Like other medicines used to treat diabetes, the
dose of glimepiride is individualized using periodic measurements of
blood sugar to
determine the best dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Medicines that can
increase blood sugar can reverse the action of glimepiride. These drugs include
diuretics [for example,
hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, Ezide, Hydro-Par, Microzide, and many combinations with other drugs), furosemide (Lasix)], corticosteroids such as
prednisone and
methylprednisolone (Medrol)], phenytoin (Dilantin),
niacin, and
sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).
Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin)
can cause
low or high blood sugar. Additionally, they can directly reverse the
sugar-lowering effect of sulfonylureas and render them less
effective. Beta-blockers also can blunt some of the body's protective
responses to low blood sugar, thus making it difficult for patients
to recognize reactions due to low blood sugar. This notwithstanding,
beta-blockers have been used successfully in patients with diabetes and
have been associated with improved survival in patients with diabetes with high
blood pressure.
Rifampin increases the breakdown of two other sulfonylureas,
tolbutamide (Orinase) and glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase). This might interfere
with the effects of the drugs and result in higher levels of sugar in
the blood. Although this same interference has not yet been reported
with glimepiride, the possibility that it may occur should be kept in
mind.
PREGNANCY: In animal studies, glimepiride and other
sulfonylureas
have been associated with a higher risk of fetal death. However,
there have
been no good studies in women. On the other hand, abnormal blood
sugar concentrations (high or low) during
pregnancy increase the risk
of abnormalities in the fetus. Therefore, physicians must carefully
weigh the benefits and risks of sulfonylurea treatment during
pregnancy.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- insulin - Establishes the medication insulin, a drug used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Diabetes - Learn about type 1 and 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) symptoms including increased urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin infections, and blurred vision. Causes and diagnosis information is provided in the information.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
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