How does Amaryl (Glimepiride) work:

Amaryl (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. As classified as sulfonylureas, Amaryl works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Amaryl is often prescribed along with the insulin-boosting drug Glucophage. Amaryl is also used in conjunction with insulin and other diabetes drugs.

Dosage & Administration:

Take Amaryl (Glimepiride) strictly as directed by your physician. Amaryl should be taken with breakfast. The usual starting dose is 1 to 2 mg taken once daily. The maximum starting dose is 2 mg. If necessary, your physician will gradually increase the dose 1 or 2 mg at a time every 1 or 2 weeks. Your diabetes will probably be controlled on 1 to 4 mg a day, the most you should take is 8 mg. If the maximum dose fails to do the job, your physician may add Glucophage to your regimen.

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Side Effects:

• anemia
• blurred vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• itching
• liver problems
• jaundice
• muscle weakness
• nausea
• sensitivity to light
• skin rash
• eruptions
• intestinal pain
• vomiting
• oma
• disorientation
• pale skin
• seizures
• shallow breathing

Precautions:

Avoid Amaryl if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.

Amaryl may lead to more heart problems than diet treatment alone, or treatment with diet and insulin. If you have a heart condition, you should discuss this with your physician. When taking Amaryl, you should check your blood and urine regularly for abnormally high glucose levels. 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 physician may recommend that you add insulin to your treatment with Amaryl or that you temporarily stop taking Amaryl and use insulin instead. Possible food and drug interactions when taking Amaryl.

Do not take Amaryl while pregnant. Since studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy, your physician may prescribe injected insulin instead. Drugs similar to Amaryl do appear in breast milk and may cause low blood sugar in nursing infants. You should not take Amaryl while nursing. If diet alone does not control your sugar levels, your physician may prescribe injected insulin.