Glimepiride Side Effects

Summary

Glimepiride is an oral diabetes medication that is used to help control blood sugar levels. The most commonly reported side effect is nausea. Additional less serious side effects include; dizziness, tired feeling, mild itching, headache, skin rash, an increase in skin sensitivity to sunlight, mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea. These effects usually do not require medical attention however, if any become bothersome you should contact your doctor.

Common Glimepiride Side Effects

The most common Glimepiride side effects includes the following:

• Nausea
• Tired feeling
• Dizziness
• Mild itching or skin rash
• Skin sensitivity to the sun
• Mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea
• Headache

The side effects listed above usually do not require medical attention as they will commonly diminish when your body adjusts to the medication. Your doctor may also be able to advise you of ways to reduce or prevent these common side effects from occurring. However, if any persist or become bothersome you should notify your doctor to discuss alternative solutions.

Serious Glimepiride Side Effects

An allergic reaction can occur while taking glimepiride. If you experience any of the following symptoms indicating an allergic reaction, get emergency medical help right away.

• Hives
• Swelling of the lips, face, throat, or tongue
• Difficulty breathing

Many other side effects can occur that are not indicative of an allergic reaction but that are still very serious. If you experience any of the following severe side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

• Dark urine
• Upper stomach pain, jaundice, and low fever
• Nausea, confusion, loss of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, feelings of restlessness or irritability, weakness and muscle pain, or seizure
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling extremely faint
• Numbness or tingly feeling
• Pale skin, easy bruising, bleeding, fever, and unusual weakness.
• Severe skin rash, redness, irritation, and itching
• Clay colored stools

Existing Medical Conditions

Do not use glimepiride if you are allergic to this medication or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Talk to your doctor before taking this medication if you are pregnant or may become pregnant; glimepiride has been placed in category C by the FDA, which means that it is unknown if it may harm an unborn baby. You should also talk to your doctor before taking Amaryl if you are breastfeeding as it is not known if this drug passes through breast milk or the effect it may have on a newborn.

Certain medical conditions may require special tests or dosage adjustments to ensure that you can safely take glimepiride. Talk to your doctor before taking this medication if you have any of the following conditions; heart disease, an allergy to sulfa drugs, kidney or liver disease, pituitary or adrenal gland problems, malnourishment, or have the enzyme deficiency known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Lifestyle Factors

Glimepiride should be used in combination with a healthy living plan in individuals who are taking it. Closely monitoring your diet, weight, and exercise will help ensure that you are getting the maximum potential out of this medication. It is important to become familiar with the signs of low blood sugar which are; weakness, hunger, headache, irritability, tremor, sweating, or trouble concentrating. You should have a source of sugar available at all times to utilize in an episode of low blood sugar; some good sugar sources include orange juice, candy, milk, or glucose gel.

Low blood sugar can be caused by travel, stress, overexertion, or illness; it is important to inform your family and friends of how to help you in the event of a low blood sugar episode. It may be helpful to check your own blood sugar levels frequently as a way to monitor your treatment; if your levels are not stable you should talk to your doctor as you may need a dosage adjustment.

Other Medications

It is important to inform your doctor of all over the counter, prescription, and herbal medications that you are taking prior to starting a new one. Notify your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications as they could cause a dangerous interaction to occur if taken with Amaryl.

• Reserpine
• Albuterol
• Clonidine
• Beta blockers

The following medications may cause low blood sugar if taken with glimepiride:

• Clarithromycin
• Exenatide
• Disopyramide
• Probenecid
• Fluoxetine
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Sulfa drugs
• Oral diabetic medications
• Blood thinners
• Aspirin and other salicylates
• Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin

The following medications may cause high blood sugar if taken with glimepiride:

• Seizure medications
• Hormonal birth contraceptives
• Diet pills
• Medications to treat colds, asthma, or allergies
• Isoniazid
• Diuretics
• Niacin
• Phenothiazine
• Steroids
• Thyroid medications

Glimepiride is an oral diabetes medication used to help control blood sugar levels. Certain medical conditions may require special tests or dosage adjustments to ensure that you can safely take this drug. It is important to inform your doctor of all medications that you are taking before taking Amaryl as many dangerous drug interactions can occur. If you experience a severe side effect or a less serious one becomes bothersome, notify your doctor.