Glimepiride Tablets for Diabetes: Uses, Side Effects & Composition

Glimepiride is available in the form of an oral tablet. It is available as a generic drug under the brand called Amaryl. It is recommended for people with typ2 diabetes as it helps to lower the high blood sugar. One should always consult his or her doctor for accurate dosage. It does have mild and serious side effects.  The mild side effects last until 1-2 days; however, if the side effect is severe, consult your doctor immediately. Read more to know Glimepiride Tablets for Diabetes, its uses, side effects & Composition.

Composition: It has Glimepiride as an active ingredient. It also has lactose monohydrate.

Manufacturer: Ipca Labs, Glenmark Pharma, and Dishman Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals T

Medicine Type: Tablet

Price: The price may vary according to the brand

Glimepiride Tablet Uses

Glimepiride Tablet is recommended to people with type 2 diabetes. It helps to reduce the high blood sugar level. The medicine should be taken along with exercise and a healthy diet. The tablet can be taken along with insulin and other drugs that help control diabetes or high blood sugar.

How Glimepiride Oral Works?

Glimepiride is sulfonylureas-such drugs that are used to cure similar health problems. The drug helps release insulin from the pancreas (a chemical made by the body to move blood sugar from the bloodstream to cells). During Diabetes 2, the body does not produce or use insulin to stay in the bloodstream. This leads to high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia.

Glimepiride Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of Glimepiride are the following:

• Low blood sugar.
• Shaking or trembling of the body.
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Sweating
• Irritation
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Headache
• Palpitations
• Fatigue
• Weight gain

Serious side effects of Glimepiride

Mild side effects or common side effects of the tablet may fade away in a day or two. However, certain side effects could be serious. Contact with your doctor as soon as possible if you witness any of the following life-threatening symptoms.

• Severe low blood sugar.
• Change in mood swings
• Delirium (confusion)
• Sleepiness
• Lack of coordination
• Crying out in sleep.
• Impaired vision
• Tingling on tongue and lips.
• Severe Headache
• Unconsciousness
• Allergic reactions 
• Liver damage.
• Low blood cells (infection and bleeding that does not stop)
• Low level of sodium

Types of Allergic Reactions

• Anaphylaxis-This kind of allergic reaction is serious. Their symptoms include breathing problems, swelling of throat or tongue, problem in swallowing, and hives.
• Angioedema- This allergy is characterized as swelling in the skin in the mucous membrane.
• Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome- This is one of the rarest health problems that includes symptoms of flu, blisters, and red rashes.

Symptoms of Damaged Liver

• Yellowing of skin and eyes turn white.
• Swelling and pain in the stomach.
• Edema.
• Tar color stool
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Glimepiride Tablet Interaction With Other Medications

Glimepiride oral tablets may interact with vitamins, medications, and herbs. The usage of the tablet can change the effects of other medicines. In order to avoid these interactions, always inform your doctor about your medical history and other tablets that you have been taking. Dugs that might interact with Glimepiride are:

1. Quinolone antibiotics – These drugs may lead to low blood sugar. Ciprofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are some of the Quinolone antibiotics.

2. Heart Drugs – Benazepril, captopril, enalapril, enalaprilat, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril,           perindopril, quinapril, trandolapril

3. Antifungals- Such drugs increase the effect of Glimepiride and may lead to low blood sugar. Examples of antifungals are fluconazole and ketoconazole.

4. Drugs for Eye Treatment: Drugs like Chloramphenicol may lead to low blood sugar.

5. Drugs like Clofibrate for Cholesterol Treatment.

6. Drugs for Depression Treatment- Drugs like tranylcypromine and phenelzine can change the effects of Glimepiride

7. Drugs like aspirin, magnesium salicylate, and salsalate, and others that have salicylic acid.

8. Drugs like sulfadiazine, sulfacetamide, sulfasalazine, and sulfisoxazole that contain sulphonamides.

9. Drugs that cure low blood sugar.

10. Drugs for TB treatment- Rifapentine, rifabutin, and rifapentine.

11. Thiazide diuretics like chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide and metolazone

How to Take Glimepiride?

The dosage of Glimepiride tablets depends on the patient’s age, health condition, othet medical conditions and medicines, and the first dose’s reaction.

Drug Strength and Forms

Form: oral tablet

Strength: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, and 8 mg

Generic: Glimepiride

Brand: Amaryl

Dosage for type 2 diabetes for Adults

• The recommended 18 to 64 years old adults 1mg-2mg, and it should be taken once in a day.
• The maximum recommended dose for adults is 8 mg.

Dosage for Senior Citizens

• Adults above 65 years may start with 1mg per day with the first meal of the day.
• The maximum recommended dose for senior citizens is 8mg.

Dosage for Children

The tablet is not recommend for kids under 17-18 years as it might lead to weight gain or causes low blood sugar.

Dosage for People with other Health Problems

1. People with Kidney Disease – The dose of Glimepiride tablet should be lower than the usual dose. They can start with 1mg and can extend to 8mg.
2. People With Liver Disease may be sensitive towards glimepiride effects. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose and then increase it according to its impact on the health.

Other Things to Remember

• Take the Glimepiride tablet as recommended.
• If you miss the dose, consume it as soon as you remember it.
• Monitor your blood sugar readings. Before food, the blood sugar level should be between 70 and 130 mg/dL and less than 180 mg/dL after 1-2 hours of a meal.
• Do not take medicine along with breakfast or the first meal.
• You can crush the Glimepiride tab.
• Glimepiride may increases sensitivity towards the sun. After taking medicine, make sure you wear sunscreen, and your body parts are not exposed to the sun.
• Do not consume alcohol with, before, or after the intake of medicine.

Glimepiride Tablet Storage

• Store the tablet at room temperature.
• Avoid keeping it in the freezer.
• Make sure it is kept away from sunlight.
• Do not store it in moist areas like the bathroom.

Conclusion:

Glimepiride Oral tablet helps to treat high blood sugar amongst people with Type 2 diabetes.It can help to control the blood sugar level along with exercise and a healthy diet. It is available in the tablet form and can be taken after the first meal. The dosage of the medicine depends on the age, medical condition, and other medicines that one taking 

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