Glimepiride (Antidiabetic)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Glimepiride?

Answer 1

Amaryl

Question 2

What tablet strengths of Glimepiride are available?

Answer 2

1mg, 2mg, 4mg

Question 3

What is the FDA approved indications for Glimepiride?

Answer 3

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to lower the blood glucose in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
• For use in combination with insulin to lower blood glucose in patients with hyperglycemia cannot be controlled by diet and exercise in combination with an oral hypoglycemic agent.

Question 4

What dose of Amaryl is used when the patient is non-insulin-dependent?

Answer 4

Start with 1 to 2 mg daily getting with breakfast or the first main meal. The usual maintenance dose is 1 to 4 mg daily with a maximum of 8 mg daily.

Question 5

What dose of glimepiride it’s used in combination with insulin to lower blood glucose?

Answer 5

Start with 8 mg daily given with breakfast or the first main meal. Add insulin slowly and increase a week like adjustments as determined by fasting blood glucose.

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of Glimepiride?

Answer 6

Glimepiride stimulates insulin released from beta cells in the pancreatic islet.

Question 7

What are the drug interactions of Glimepiride?

Answer 7

Although no evidence of significant drug interactions with glimepiride exist, use caution during coadministration with other drugs affect cytochrome P450 II Cp such as miconazole, phenytoin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, and mefanamic acid and drugs induce or inhibit CYP to see mine isoenzymes.

Question 8

What are the Contra indications of Amaryl?

Answer 8

• Contraindicated in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma and in patients allergic to glimepiride. - Oral hypoglycemic drugs may increase the mortality associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Patient should be warned about hypoglycemia and how to recognize it. Some signs of hypoglycemia include hunger, nausea, lethargic, sweating, tachycardia.
• Do not use in nursing mothers.
• Pregnancy Category C

Question 9

What are the adverse effects of Glimepiride?

Answer 9

Dizziness, asthenia, headache, nausea

Question 10

What should the pharmacist tell the patient when consulting them for the use of Amaryl?

Answer 10

• Take with breakfast or the first main meal.
• Compliance with therapy is essential for optimal affect.
• Follow prescribed diet closely.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol.
• Patient should be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia.
• Do not double doses