Amaryl (Glimepiride) is used for treating type 2 diabetes in patients who cannot control blood sugar levels by diet and exercise alone. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines.

Amaryl is used for:

Treating type 2 diabetes in patients who cannot control blood sugar levels by diet and exercise alone. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines.

Amaryl is a sulfonylurea antidiabetic medicine. It causes the pancreas to release insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar.

Do NOT use Amaryl if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Amaryl
you have certain severe problems associated with diabetes (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic coma)
you have moderate to severe burns, or very high blood acid levels (acidosis)
you are taking bosentan

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Amaryl :

Some medical conditions may interact with Amaryl . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to any other sulfonamide medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), glipizide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide
if you have a history of stroke or liver, kidney, thyroid, heart, or blood vessel problems
if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, stomach or bowel blockage, stomach paralysis), drink alcohol, or have had poor nutrition
if you have type 1 diabetes, very poor health, a high fever, a severe infection, severe diarrhea, or high blood acid levels, or have had a severe injury
if you have a history of certain hormonal problems (eg, adrenal or pituitary problems, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone [SIADH]), or low blood sodium levels
if you will be having surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amaryl . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Bosentan because liver problems may occur; the effectiveness of both medicines may be decreased
Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased. They may also hide certain signs of low blood sugar and make it more difficult to notice
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), azole antifungals (eg, miconazole, ketoconazole), chloramphenicol, clofibrate, fenfluramine insulin, metformin, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), phenylbutazone, probenecid, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), salicylates (eg, aspirin), or sulfonamides (eg, sulfamethoxazole) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased
Calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), diazoxide, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), estrogens, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), isoniazid, niacin, phenothiazines (eg, promethazine), phenytoin, rifamycins (eg, rifampin), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), or thyroid supplements (eg, levothyroxine) because they may decrease Amaryl 's effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar
Gemfibrozil because blood sugar may be increased or decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amaryl may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Amaryl :

Use Amaryl as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Amaryl by mouth with breakfast or the first main meal of the day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Amaryl works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
Continue to take Amaryl even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Amaryl , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amaryl .

Important safety information:

Amaryl may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amaryl with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Amaryl . It may increase the risk of low blood sugar. Rarely, alcohol may interact with Amaryl and cause a serious reaction with symptoms such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or stomach pain. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Carry an ID card at all times that says you have diabetes. Check your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor. If they are often higher or lower than they should be and you take Amaryl exactly as prescribed, tell your doctor.
Proper diet, regular exercise, and regular blood sugar testing are important for best results with Amaryl . Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
It may be harder to control your blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. Talk with your doctor about how to control your blood sugar if any of these occur. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.
Amaryl may cause low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your heart beat faster; make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. It is a good idea to carry a reliable source of glucose (eg, tablets or gel) to treat low blood sugar. If this is not available, you should eat or drink a quick source of sugar like table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice, or non-diet soda. This will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Tell your doctor right away if this happens. To prevent low blood sugar, eat meals at the same time each day and do not skip meals.
Risk of low blood sugar may be increased by severe or prolonged exercise, drinking alcohol, or skipping meals.
Amaryl is a sulfonylurea. It may increase the risk of death from heart disease. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of this or other therapies to treat your condition.
Amaryl may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Amaryl . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Amaryl before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Lab tests, including fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C, may be performed while you use Amaryl . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Use Amaryl with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sugar levels.
Amaryl should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Amaryl may cause harm to the fetus or newborn. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Amaryl while you are pregnant. It is not known if Amaryl is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amaryl .

When used for long periods of time, this medicine may not work as well. If your blood sugar has been under control and then becomes hard to manage, contact your doctor. Do not change the dose of your medicine without checking with your doctor.

Possible side effects of Amaryl :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Nausea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain or irregular heartbeat; confusion; dark urine; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; low blood sugar symptoms (eg, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, headache, lightheadedness, tremors, unusual sweating, weakness); severe or persistent blurred vision or other vision problems; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.