Amaryl

Monotherapy or in combination w/ an oral antidiabetic containing metformin or w/ insulin for NIDDM.

Individualized dosing. Initially 1 mg daily. May increase dose based on glycaemic control w/ 1-2 wk interval in a stepwise manner of 2, 3 or 4 mg daily. Max daily dose: 6 mg.

Should be taken with food: Take immediately before the 1st main meal of the day. Do not skip meals. Swallow whole, do not chew/crush.

Hypersensitivity to glimepiride, sulfonylureas or sulfonamides. IDDM. Diabetic coma. Ketoacidosis. Severe renal or hepatic impairment.

Possible hypoglycaemia when taken w/ skipped meals or at irregular hrs. Regularly monitor glucose levels in blood & urine; hepatic & haematological functions. Temporarily switch to insulin in stress situations (eg, accidents, acute operations, infections w/ fever). Dialysis patients. Patients w/ G6PD deficiency; consider a non-sulfonylurea alternative. Not to be taken by patients w/ rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption. May impair ability to drive & use machines as a result of hypo- or hyperglycaemia. Pregnancy & lactation. Not recommended in paed population.

Possibly, hypoglycaemia; dysgeusia; thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, agranulocytosis, erythropenia, haemolytic anaemia & pancytopenia; alopecia; wt gain.

Metabolism may be influenced during concomitant use w/ CYP2C9 inducers (eg, rifampicin) or inhibitors (eg, fluconazole). Increased AUC by fluconazole. Potentiation of blood glucose-lowering effect by phenylbutazone, azapropazone, oxyfenbutazone, insulin & oral antidiabetics (eg, metformin), salicylates, p-aminosalicylic acid, anabolic steroids & male sex hormones, chloramphenicol, certain long-acting sulfonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones & clarithromycin, coumarin anticoagulants, fenfluramine, disopyramide, fibrates, ACE inhibitors, fluoxetine, MAOIs, allopurinol, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, sympatholytics, cyclophosphamide, trophosphamide & iphosphamides, miconazole, fluconazole, pentoxifylline (high dose parenteral), tritoqualine. Weakening of blood glucose-lowering effect by oestrogens & progestogens, saluretics, thiazide diuretics, thyroid stimulating agents, glucocorticoids, phenothiazine derivatives, chlorpromazine, adrenaline & sympathicomimetics, nicotinic acid (high doses) & nicotinic acid derivatives, laxatives (long term use), phenytoin, diazoxide, glucagon, barbiturates & rifampicin, acetazolamide. Blood glucose-lowering effect may be potentiated or weakened by H₂-antagonists, β-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine & reserpine. Alcohol intake may potentiate or weaken the hypoglycaemic action. May potentiate or weaken the effects of coumarin derivatives. Reduced GIT absorption by colesevelam.

Antidiabetic Agents

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

POM