Glimepiride contraindications<\/span><\/h2>\nPeople with certain pre-existing medical conditions have an unacceptably high risk of serious medical issues when taking glimepiride. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- People with high levels of ketones in the blood (diabetic ketoacidosis)<\/span><\/li>\n
- People allergic to glimepiride<\/span><\/li>\n
- People allergic to sulfa drugs (<\/span>sulfonamides<\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Glimepiride is contraindicated in all of these cases. Additionally, glimepiride is never used to treat type 1 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\nPregnancy<\/span><\/h3>\nGlimepiride can be used during pregnancy. No risks to the baby or the mother have been identified. However, because there\u2019s a risk that a baby will be born with low blood sugar, healthcare professionals are advised to discontinue glimepiride two weeks before the expected delivery date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBreastfeeding<\/span><\/h3>\nWomen who are breastfeeding an infant should use glimepiride with caution. Healthcare professionals don\u2019t know if glimepiride is present in human breast milk or if it causes problems in nursing infants. If it\u2019s used while breastfeeding, watch for signs of low blood sugar in the baby.<\/span><\/p>\nChildren<\/span><\/h3>\nThe FDA has not approved the use of glimepiride in children or teens younger than 18 years of age. However, some healthcare providers may use it <\/span>off-label<\/span> in children with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span>, but the FDA does not recommend it because of the risk of low blood sugar and weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\nSeniors<\/span><\/h3>\nIn clinical trials, glimepiride treatment showed no difference in effectiveness or side effects in seniors versus younger adults. However, healthcare providers are usually cautious about using sulfonylureas in elderly patients because of the increased risk of hypoglycemia. Low sodium is another cause for concern.<\/span><\/p>\nGlimepiride warnings<\/span><\/h2>\nAll diabetic medications have a few warnings of which people should be aware. These usually involve possible side effects due to pre-existing conditions, but taking too many pills is another serious consideration.<\/span><\/p>\nCautions<\/span><\/h3>\nBecause of glimepiride\u2019s therapeutic and adverse effects, some pre-existing conditions may get worse if glimepiride is taken. Most importantly, some people are more vulnerable to low blood sugar caused by glucose-lowering drugs. They may need to regularly check their blood sugar. Caution should be used with:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Seniors<\/span><\/li>\n
- Debilitated patients<\/span><\/li>\n
- Malnourished patients<\/span><\/li>\n
- Kidney impairment<\/span><\/li>\n
- Liver dysfunction<\/span><\/li>\n
- Thyroid disease<\/span><\/li>\n
- Adrenal gland dysfunction<\/span><\/li>\n
- Pituitary gland dysfunction<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some people may not have symptoms of low blood sugar because the nerves that control automatic responses in the body\u2014like blood pressure, body temperature, and digestion\u2014are damaged, a condition called autonomic neuropathy. For these people, prolonged low blood sugar is a risk, so they may need to regularly monitor their blood sugar.<\/span><\/p>\nAbout one in 12 people have a common hereditary condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. G6PD is an enzyme that is needed by red blood cells. Without this enzyme, red blood cells are vulnerable to damage caused by certain medicines or foods. Glimepiride is one of those medicines that kills red blood cells. When red blood cells die off too quickly, it results in a serious medical condition called hemolytic anemia.<\/span><\/p>\nAbuse and dependence<\/span><\/h3>\nGlimepiride does not cause physical dependence and it is not associated with drug abuse.<\/span><\/p>\nOverdose<\/span><\/h3>\nBecause of the risk of severe hypoglycemia, go to an emergency room if too much glimepiride is taken. Treatment will usually consist of intravenous glucose. Although the maximum dose is 8 mg per day, the actual dose is based on each person\u2019s unique response to the drug. Anything more than that is too much.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nGlimepiride interactions<\/span><\/h2>\nBecause glimepiride is used to control blood sugar, the most important drug interactions involve those that either raise or lower blood sugar. These drugs aren\u2019t prohibited, but glimepiride doses will have to go up or down to compensate. However, these drug interactions are nothing to worry too much about as long as blood sugar is within an appropriate range. Adjusting doses over time is a normal part of taking diabetes drugs.<\/span><\/p>\nDrugs that lower blood sugar will require lower doses of glimepiride to compensate. These drugs include:<\/span><\/p>\nDrugs that increase blood glucose will require that glimepiride doses increase as well. These drugs include:<\/span><\/p>\nBeta blockers<\/span> can also cause problems with blood glucose levels.<\/span><\/p>\nBile acid sequestrants, such as <\/span>colesevelam<\/span>, reduce the amount of glimepiride absorbed by the body, so doses may need to be raised. Glimepiride tablets should be taken at least four hours before a dose of colesevelam.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to avoid glimepiride side effects<\/span><\/h2>\nMany of the side effects of glimepiride can be minimized through a few basic strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n1. Tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all medical conditions<\/span><\/h3>\nThe first place to start is before the prescription is even written. Make sure to tell the prescriber if you have any of the following medical conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n
- Liver disease<\/span><\/li>\n
- Kidney disease<\/span><\/li>\n
- Thyroid, adrenal gland, or pituitary problems<\/span><\/li>\n
- A hereditary condition called G6PD deficiency<\/span><\/li>\n
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant<\/span><\/li>\n
- Breastfeeding or plans to breastfeed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Share a complete list of drugs being taken with the prescriber<\/span><\/h3>\nDrug interactions are another potential source of side effects. The biggest problem involves prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or dietary supplements that raise or lower blood sugar. There are quite a few of these, so tell the prescriber about every drug and supplement being taken.<\/span><\/p>\n3. Take the tablets as directed<\/span><\/h3>\nAnother good way to avoid side effects is to follow the instructions given by the prescriber or written in the drug information insert. Take the dose of glimepiride at the right time each day. Only take one tablet per day. Take it with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Don\u2019t take it on an empty stomach. If a dose is missed, it can be taken when remembered, as long as it\u2019s closer to the time of the missed dose than the time of the next dose. However, if it\u2019s closer to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Don\u2019t take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.<\/span><\/p>\n4. Regularly check blood sugar levels<\/span><\/h3>\nLow blood glucose is a common problem with sulfonylurea drugs like glimepiride. The best way to avoid low blood sugar is to regularly check it. If blood sugar levels get too low, do what the prescriber has instructed. They may prescribe you glucose tablets or a glucagon intramuscular pen to use. They may also instruct you to consume something that is high in sugar, such as a chocolate bar or sugary juice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n5. Don\u2019t skip meals<\/span><\/h3>\nAnother way to avoid low blood sugar is to not skip or delay meals. Glimepiride increases insulin in the body throughout the day, so regular meals are required to keep blood sugar normal.<\/span><\/p>\n6. Avoid alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\nAlcohol not only increases the risk of low blood sugar, but it also prolongs its duration. Drinking should\u00a0 be avoided when taking drugs like glimepiride. If drinking can\u2019t be avoided, drink moderately and check blood sugar levels after drinking.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to treat side effects of glimepiride<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen side effects happen, all hope isn\u2019t lost. Many side effects have simple solutions, but a few may require medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\nLow blood sugar<\/span><\/h3>\nLow blood sugar can often be handled immediately. The prescriber will explain the symptoms of low blood sugar. The earliest hypoglycemic signs are hunger, sweating, shaking, confusion, and trouble thinking or focusing. When blood glucose gets low during sleep, the signs are drowsiness, fatigue, and confusion upon waking. The prescriber will also give instructions about what to do. You may be asked to carry glucose pills or a source of carbohydrates like candy or sugar cubes. If low blood sugar persists for a long time or keeps coming back, contact the prescriber.<\/span><\/p>\nDizziness\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\nIf dizziness strikes, just sit down. Wait until the spinning stops and then stand up slowly. If dizziness keeps happening, contact the prescribing healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\nHeadaches<\/span><\/h3>\nIf headaches are a problem, get medical advice from the prescriber about what over-the-counter pain relievers are best to take. <\/span>Acetaminophen<\/span> may be okay to take, but both <\/span>
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