AMARYL

Who is Amaryl for ?

Glimepiride is used with diet and exercise to treat Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes (formerly "adult-onset"). Glimepiride may be used with or without insulin. Amaryl is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Glimepiride lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin and helping the body use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of producing insulin for Amaryl to work.

When should I be careful taking Amaryl ?

Oral hypoglycemic drugs, including glimepiride, have been associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks, benefits, and alternatives of using this drug for your condition.

Before taking glimepiride,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to glimepiride or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antibiotics, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), dexamethasone (Decadron), diuretics ("water pills"), estrogens, isoniazid (INH), MAO inhibitors - phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), medications for high blood pressure or heart disease, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenytoin (Dilantin), prednisone, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease or ketoacidosis.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking glimepiride, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking glimepiride.

Side Effects

Although side effects from glimepiride are not common, they can occur. If you have any of these symptoms, eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or fruit juice, and call your doctor immediately; symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include:

• shakiness
• dizziness
• rapid heartbeat
• sweating or confusion
• blurred vision
• headache
• numbness or tingling of the mouth
• weakness
• fatigue
• pale color
• sudden hunger

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• seizures
• loss of consciousness

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately; symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include:

• thirst
• dry mouth
• tiredness
• flushing
• dry skin
• frequent urination
• loss of appetite
• trouble breathing