Medications and Drugs

1. Type 2 Diabetes Slideshow Pictures
2. Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Diabetes Quiz!

Brand Names: Amaryl

Generic Name: glimepiride (Pronunciation: glye MEP ir ide)

• What is glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What are the possible side effects of glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• How should I take glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Amaryl)?
• What happens if I overdose (Amaryl)?
• What should I avoid while taking glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• What other drugs will affect glimepiride (Amaryl)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is glimepiride (Amaryl)?

Glimepiride is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas.

Glimepiride is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Insulin or other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with glimepiride if needed.

Glimepiride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Amaryl 1 mg

peanut, pink, imprinted with AMA RYL, LOGO

Amaryl 2 mg

peanut, green, imprinted with AMA RYL, LOGO

Amaryl 4 mg

peanut, blue, imprinted with AMA RYL, LOGO

Glimepiride 1 mg-MYL

oval, white, imprinted with MYLAN, G 11

Glimepiride 1 mg-PER

round, pink, imprinted with 203, I G

Glimepiride 1 mg-RED

oval, peach, imprinted with 3 / 20, RDY

Glimepiride 1 mg-TEV

round, pink, imprinted with 9 3, 72 54

Glimepiride 2 mg-MYL

oval, green, imprinted with MYLAN, G 12

Glimepiride 2 mg-PER

round, green, imprinted with 204, IG

Glimepiride 2 mg-RED

oval, green, imprinted with 321, RDY

Glimepiride 2 mg-TEV

round, green, imprinted with 9 3, 72 55

Glimepiride 4 mg-MYL

oval, peach, imprinted with MYLAN, G 13

Glimepiride 4 mg-PER

round, blue, imprinted with 205, IG

Glimepiride 4 mg-RED

oval, blue, imprinted with 3 22, RDY

Glimepiride 4 mg-TEV

round, blue, imprinted with 9 3, 72 56

What are the possible side effects of glimepiride (Amaryl)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe skin rash, itching, redness, or irritation;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, unusual weakness;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• trouble breathing;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools;
• upper stomach pain, low fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling restless or irritable, confusion, hallucinations, muscle pain or weakness, and/or seizure.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness, headache, tired feeling;
• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
• increased skin sensitivity to sunlight; or
• mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride (Amaryl)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to glimepiride, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Before taking glimepiride, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, or if you have heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, an enzyme deficiency (G6PD), adrenal or pituitary gland problems, or if you are under-nourished.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Glimepiride is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.