RiteMED Glimepiride

RiteMED Glimepiride 2 mg: contains 2 mg of Glimepiride.
RiteMED Glimepiride 3 mg: contains 3 mg of Glimepiride.
What glimepiride tablets are: Glimepiride belongs to a group of medicines called hypoglycemics, which are used for the treatment of diabetes (a disease where the body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of blood sugar).

Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: Glimepiride is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Peak Plasma concentrations occur in 2 to 3 hours, and it is highly protein bound. The drug is extensively metabolised to two main metabolites, a hydroxy derivative and a carboxy derivative. The half-life after multiple doses is about 9 hours. About 60% of a dose is eliminated in the urine and 40% in the faeces.

What they are used for: Glimepiride is used to treat non-insulin dependent (Type II) diabetes mellitus. Type II diabetes can sometimes be controlled by good diet, exercise and weight control, where this is not enough, glimepiride is used.

Always take glimepiride tablets exactly as the doctor has instructed. Patient should check with the doctor or pharmacist if unsure.
The doctor may start the patient on 1 mg of glimepiride per day. If necessary the dose will be increased every 1 to 2 weeks until the right dose is found, the doctor will determine when the patient has found the right dose. The maximum dose is 6 mg of glimepiride per day.
If the right dose is not found, then the doctor may introduce another medicine if he/she thinks it is appropriate.
If patient has the impression that the effect of glimepiride tablets is too strong or too weak, talk to the doctor or pharmacist. Do not alter the dose.
If patient takes more glimepiride tablets than he/she should: Tell the doctor at once, or go to the nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take any remaining medicine and its packaging.
If patient forgets to take glimepiride tablets: If patient misses a dose, never double up on the next dose to make up for the missed one.

Do not take glimepiride tablets: If patient has insulin-dependent diabetes.
If patient suffers with ketoacidosis.
If patient suffers with severe kidney or liver disorders.
If patient has a known hypersensitivity to glimepiride, other sulphonylureas (e.g., glibenclamide, gliclazide) or sulphonamides (e.g. sulfadiazine, trimethoprim) or any of the excipients in the tablets. If unsure, ask the doctor.
If patient is, or thinks she might be pregnant, or if breastfeeding.
Do not give to anyone in a diabetic coma.

While taking glimepiride tablets, it is important that the patient eats regular meals and not miss meals. If patient does not follow this advice, he/she is at an increased risk of hypoglycemia (too little sugar in the blood).
Other factors increasing the risk of hypoglycemia are: Alcohol consumption, especially in combination with missed meals.
If the patient has thyroid problems and other hormonal problems (ask the doctor for advice).
Hypoglycemia symptoms (too little sugar in the blood) include: headache, ravenous appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, sleep disturbances, restlessness, aggression, poor concentration, poor alertness and reactions, depression, confusion, visual disorders, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, tremor, slight or incomplete paralysis, sensory disturbances, dizziness, helplessness, loss of self-control, being in a dream-like state, fits, sleepiness and loss of consciousness up to and including coma, shallow breathing and slow heart rate.
In addition there may be sweating, clammy skin, anxiety, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, chest pain. If patient has any of these symptoms seek medical advice immediately.
While the patient is taking glimepiride tablets, the doctor will probably monitor his/her blood closely.
Taking glimepiride tablets with food and drink: Glimepiride must be taken immediately prior to or during a meal, preferably the first major meal of the day (e.g. breakfast). Drinking alcohol may affect the action of glimepiride tablets, patient should discuss this with the doctor.
Driving and using machines: Care should be exercised if patient is taking glimepiride tablets and driving or operating machinery. The ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycaemia (too little sugar in the blood) or hyperglycaemia (too much sugar in the blood). Other effects may include visual impairment, dizziness, helplessness, loss of self-control, being in a dream-like state.
Important information about some of the ingredients of glimepiride tablets: If the patient has been told by the doctor that he/she has intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking this medicine.
Taking other medicines: Please inform the doctor or pharmacist if patient is taking or has recently taken any other medicines, even those not prescribed.
Use in Pregnancy: Patient should not take glimepiride tablets while pregnant.
Use in Lactation: Patient should not take glimepiride tablets while breastfeeding.

Use in Pregnancy: Patient should not take glimepiride tablets while pregnant.
Use in Lactation: Patient should not take glimepiride tablets while breastfeeding.

Like all medicines, glimepiride tablets can have side effects.
Immune system: In very rare cases, mild hypersensitivity reactions (including mild skin rashes or swelling) may develop into serious reactions with shortness of breath, a fall in blood pressure and occasionally, shock. Severe skin rashes and/or blistering may occur in very rare cases.
Blood: Changes in the blood which may become apparent. Symptoms of which include: tiredness, breathless, and fast or irregular heart beats, high fever, sores on body or mouth, skin rashes, infections, bleeding from the nose or mouth, prolonged bleeding, bruising.
These are generally reversible when therapy is discontinued.
Metabolism: In rare cases, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may occur.
Eyes: Visual disturbances may occur, especially at the beginning of treatment.
Gut: Gut problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain are very rare.
The liver: In very rare cases, liver problems may develop, e.g. jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), plus hepatitis.
Skin: Skin hypersensitivity reactions, such as itching, rash, and swollen itchy red bumps may occur.
In very rare cases, the skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight.
Miscellaneous: A decrease in electrolyte (blood salts) may occur in very rare cases.
If the patient notices any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform the doctor or pharmacist.

If the patient is taking glimepiride tablets with any of the following he/she is at a greater risk of the effects of hypoglycemia: ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, used to treat heart conditions); anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (e.g. testosterone); allopurinol (used to treat gout); aspirin; azapropazone (pain killer/anti-inflammatory); chloramphenicol (antibiotic); coumarin anticoagulants (thins the blood); cyclo-, tro- and iphosphamides (arthritis medicine); fenfluramine (appetite suppressant); fibrates (a group of lipid lowering drugs, e.g. fenofibrate); fluconazole (antifungal medicine); fluoxetine (used to treat depression and obsessive compulsive disorders); insulin and oral antidiabetic products; metformin (diabetic medicine); monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine, used to treat depressive illness); oxyphenbutazone (arthritis medicine and anti-inflammatory); pentoxifylline (used to thin the blood); phenylbutazone (arthritis medicine); probenecid (gout medicine); an antibiotic group called quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin); rifampicin (antibiotic); sulphinpyrazone (used to treat gout); sulphonamides (e.g. sulfadiazine rheumatic fever medicine); sympatholytics (this is a general group of medicines often used to reduce blood pressure or help the heart, tell the doctor if patient is taking any medicine which might be a sympatholytic); tetracyclines (e.g. doxycycline, an antibiotic); tritoqualine (antihistamine to reduce inflammation); miconazole (antifungal medicine).
Patient should also tell the doctor if he/she is taking the following, he/she might need to readjust the dose or medicine: oestrogens and progestagens (female hormone replacement or the contraceptive "Pill"); saluretics, thiazide diuretics (water tablets); thyroid medicine (e.g. thyroxine); glucocorticoids (e.g. betamethasone used to treat inflammation); phenothiazine derivatives, chlorpromazine (e.g. trifluoperazine or pericyazine, used in mental diseases); sympathomimethics which can be used in a number of ways including to treat asthma (e.g. salbutamol) or as decongestants (e.g. ephedrine hydrochloride); nicotinic acid (used as a lipid lowering drug); laxatives (long term use); phenytoin (used to prevent seizures and fits); diazoxide (used to treat hypertension); glucagons (antidiabetic medicine); barbiturates (e.g. sodium amytal used to treat insomnia); rifampicin (an antibiotic); acetazolamide (used to treat glaucoma, fluid retention in the eye and also epilepsy).
H₂ antagonists (e.g. cimetidine, used to treat stomach ulcers), beta blockers (e.g. propranolol, an antihypertension medicine), clonidine (used to treat high blood pressure) and reserpine (used to treat mental illness) may affect the action of Glimepiride Tablets.
Make sure the doctor knows if patient is taking any of these drugs.

Store at temperatures not exceeding 25°C.
Do not use glimepiride tablets if the patient notices any signs of deterioration, e.g. cracked or broken tablets. Take any unused medicine to the pharmacist for disposal.

Antidiabetic Agents

A10BB12 - glimepiride ; Belongs to the class of sulfonylureas. Used in the treatment of diabetes.

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