Amaryl and/or Equivalents

Amaryl

Amaryl Drug Description

Amaryl is a sulfonylurea diabetes medication administered orally. The generic name of the active ingredient is glimepiride. Glimepiride is white to yellowish white in colour. It is almost odourless. The inactive components in Amaryl are lactose (hydrous), povidone, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate and microcrystalline cellulose. Amaryl is available as 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg tablets.

Conditions Treated by Amaryl

Physicians prescribe Amaryl to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps improve glycemia control in adults to stabilize blood sugar levels. Insulin and other diabetes medication may be necessary, in addition to Amaryl for treating the condition. Amaryl is not effective in treating type 1 diabetes or diabetes ketoacidosis.

Amaryl Dosage Information

It is important to take Amaryl as recommended by your doctor.

a.) Typical dosage recommendations

Usually, doctors prescribe Amaryl once a day. The strength of the medication depends upon the severity of the condition. Take Amaryl with breakfast or the first major meal of the day. Your doctor may adjust the dosage, if you develop any other condition like an infection or fever or if you have a surgery. It is crucial to get your blood sugar level tested regularly so that your doctor can change the dose of the medication based on the test results.

b.) Missing a dose

It is crucial to use Amaryl regularly for effective treatment of your condition. If you miss a dose inadvertently, take a dose as soon as you remember. However, it is advisable to leave out the missed dose if it’s time for the next dose. Continue your regular schedule with the following dose.

c.) Overdosing

An overdose of Amaryl may cause a fatal condition called hypoglycemia by lowering the blood sugar level to a very low level. Symptoms of hypoglycemia consist of extreme fatigue, tremors, confusion, increased sweating, blurred vision, speech troubles, fainting, nausea and convulsions. If you experience one or more of these symptoms call the local poison center at once for assistance. It is important to keep a source of sugar like candies, glucose or bottled juice at hand. Take any of these while you wait for assistance.

Amaryl Warnings

Inform your doctor if you are having medication for any other condition or if you are allergic to sulphur drugs. It is particularly important to notify him about conditions like heart disease, liver or kidney ailments, enzyme deficiency diseases and pituitary gland problems. Let your doctor know about your diet. It is vital to follow a strict regimen of diet and exercise to get the full benefit of Amaryl for your condition. You must take care that your blood sugar level does not fall to a very low level. Low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia may occur, if you miss meals. It is advisable to take a source of sugar immediately after experiencing the first signs of hypoglycaemia. If you feel unwell and cannot eat, take an injection of glucagon. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to administer the injection. It is important to ensure that your family members or your associates at your workplace know of your conditions and can help you in an emergency. Clinical research has not established if Amaryl can cause any harm to an unborn baby. However, several diabetes medications have brought about hypoglycaemia in babies whose mothers took the medication. It is advisable to exercise caution while recommending Amaryl for pregnant women. Studies have not indicated if Amaryl passes into breast milk. Let your doctor know if you are breast-feeding a baby. A physician may administer Amaryl to a breast-feeding woman if the benefits associated with the treatment are greater than the risks involved. It is prudent to reduce your intake of alcohol while taking Amaryl. Alcohol may lower blood sugar and get in the way of the treatment procedure. The use of Amaryl may make you prone to sunburns. You may use sunscreen of a high SPF factor while going out. Store the medication in a dry place at room temperature. Keep the medication out of reach of children and pets. Ask your local pharmacist about proper disposal methods for the unused medication. Do not flush it down the toilet.

Amaryl Side Effects

Amaryl may cause some serious side effects. These include tendency to bruise or bleed easily, difficulty in breathing, numbness, upper abdominal cramps, jaundice, dark urine, diarrhea, nausea, muscle pain, weakness or increased hunger. You may develop severe skin rashes, as well. Other serious adverse effects are convulsions, hallucinations and a tendency to pass out. Less severe adverse effects are mild nausea, slight fatigue, dizziness, nagging stomach pains, sensitivity to sunlight. The list of side effects is not comprehensive. You may experience other problems, as well. It is important to inform your doctor about any unusual feeling. A serious side effect is a possible allergic reaction to the drug glimepiride or any of the non-medicinal ingredients in Amaryl. Signs of allergic reactions include rashes or hives on the face, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty in breathing due to blocking of air passages. An allergic reaction can be fatal. Call the poison centre for immediate assistance, should you experience any of the symptoms listed above.

Amaryl Drug Interactions

Since glimepiride in Amaryl interacts with several drugs, it is crucial to inform your physician about other medications you might be taking. Common drugs, which interact with glimepiride, are albuterol, reserpine, clonidine, and beta-blockers like atenolol, labetalol, carvedilol, metaprolol, sotalol and propanolol. Amaryl taken with certain drugs can cause hypoglycaemia. These include clarithromycin, exenatide, probenecid, levofloxacin, warfarin, disopyramide, fluoxetine, ciprofloxacin, asprin and other salicylates. Other diabetic medicines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when taken with Amaryl could cause the blood sugar to drop, as well. On the other hand, Amaryl used in conjunction with certain drugs can raise the sugar level in the blood to cause hyperglycaemia. These drugs include isoniazid, steroids like prednisone, phenothiazine, diuretics (water pills), niacin, thyroid medications, seizure medicines, asthma medications and birth control pills. It is advisable to ask the doctor for advice about taking non-prescription items like vitamins, herbal products, minerals along with Amaryl.

If you have any questions about buying discount Amaryl online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Amaryl and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information