Glimepiride (Amaryl) Drug for Diabetes: Use, Side Effects, Interactions

Glimepiride
(Amaryl, United States)

Use:

Glimepiride or Amaryl is used in the treatment of diabetes to lower blood sugar levels.

How It Works:

Glimepiride or Amaryl stimulates the secretion of insulin by the pancreas and may as well increase tissue sensitivity to insulin. The increased level of insulin metabolises blood sugar or glucose, thus reducing the hyperglycemia of diabetes.
Because Glimepiride or Amaryl's effects are on insulin and insulin secretion by the body, the pancreas must still be functioning. This means Glimepiride or Amaryl is suitable for non insulin dependent diabetes (NIDD).
Glimepiride or Amaryl's actions are similar to another drug used for diabetes - glyburide.

Side Effects:

Glimepiride or Amaryl is well tolerated. If side effects occur they include asthenia, dizziness, headache, and nausea. Hypoglycemia - too low a blood sugar level - can occur, but with less frequency than with glyburide.

Cautions for People:

The elderly are affected more by blood glucose lowering drugs, and lower doses of Glimepiride or Amaryl may be needed. To avoid hypoglycemia, Glimepiride or Amaryl should be taken once daily with breakfast or largest meal. Because Glimepiride or Amaryl is excreted through the kidney and liver, people with liver - hepatic - or kidney - renal - damage may require dose adjustments.

Drug Interactions:

No clinically significant drug interactions are evident with Glimepiride or Amaryl. However, care must be taken with other blood glucose lowering drugs to prevent too low a blood glucose level.

Further Reading:

Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1995;28(suppl):S139
FDC Reports 1995;57:T&G-2
Drugs Fut 1992;17:774
Med Letter 1996;38:47

Added to Virtual Drugstore August 1996.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.