Glimepiride is used to treat type 2 diabetes (long-term condition in which the body gradually becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin).
This medicine is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Glimepiride exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
It is best to take this medicine in the morning before a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Glimepiride must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Glimepiride if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as glipizide, tolbutamide, or sulfasalazine.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- type 1 diabetes (a long-term condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
- complications of diabetes such as diabetic ketoacidosis (ketone bodies and sugar in your urine) and diabetic coma (episodes of unconsciousness)
as Glimepiride may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cells)
- stress-related states e.g. fever, trauma, infection, surgery
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, sugar levels, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
If you are taking this medicine with other types of oral anti-diabetic medicines, you may have been warned about hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). This medicine itself does not usually cause hypoglycaemia, but it may increase the hypoglycaemic effect of other oral anti-diabetic medicines.
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, and sweating. These signs are your body's way of warning you that your blood sugar level is low.
It is important to recognise these symptoms and get relief for hypoglycaemia quickly, as the hypoglycaemia may worsen.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Always carry some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you. Take 15 grams of glucose tablet at the first sign of hypoglycaemia, wait for 15 minutes and re-check your blood sugar level. If you are not feeling better or if your blood sugar level is still low (less than 4 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL), take another 15 grams of glucose tablet.
If you don't have glucose tablets, you may take any of the following:
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (not sugar-free)
Get medical help should symptoms did not improve after second serving.
Glimepiride may cause visual disturbances that may be associated with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, dizziness, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- feeling tired, unusual bruising or bleeding, infection
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for fungal infections e.g. miconazole, fluconazole
- other medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, metformin
- medicines for TB, an infection known as tuberculosis e.g. rifampicin, isoniazid
- certain antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol, clarithromycin
- phenytoin (medicine for fits or seizures)
- medicines to treat asthma e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline
- medicines to treat cancer e.g. cyclophosphamide
- colesevelam (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. phenylbutazone, aspirin
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. disopyramide, metoprolol, diazoxide
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. fluoxetine, chlorpromazine
- medicines for high uric acid level in the blood e.g. allopurinol, probenecid
- hydrochlorothiazide (water pill or medicine for water retention)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Glimepiride.
Inform your doctor if you are currently taking birth control pills as this can reduce the effectiveness of Glimepiride. You should not stop or start any birth control pills without first informing your doctor. Ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control as an alternative while being treated with this medicine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
It is important to maintain a healthy diet and weight to help keep your diabetes under control.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet plan with your doctor or dietitian to manage your weight and blood sugar levels.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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