AMARYL (GLIMEPIRIDE)

Amaryl Description

Do you have more than a few risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes? These include a family history, high blood pressure, inactive lifestyle, increasing age, overweight, or you are not eating healthy. Visit your doctor regularly to have your blood glucose level checked. You may be advised that your blood glucose is high and prescribed Amaryl or generic Glimepiride to control your blood sugar, especially after eating when sugar levels tend to spike. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause blindness, kidney damage, stroke, heart attack, and possible limb amputation. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Controlling Blood Sugar Reduces Other Health Risks

Type 2 diabetics still produce insulin, but it may not be enough to effectively remove the sugar from your bloodstream after eating a meal or if your body is not responding appropriately to the insulin. When taken as directed, Amaryl stimulates the beta cells in your pancreas to produce more insulin to remove sugars from your blood. The other cells in your body will take up the sugar to be stored for energy when it is needed.

You should also do your part to control your diabetes by exercising, eating healthier, stop smoking, and being more active which can help reduce your blood pressure and high cholesterol as well. Amaryl is not a cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can help you avoid other health risks.

Conditions Treated by Amaryl

Even with the help of medications, at some point your body will require insulin. This is not because you did not follow your doctor’s instructions, but due to the beta cells in your pancreas becoming more unresponsive and eventually not being able to release insulin. You may now be told you must take oral or injectable forms of insulin to remove the glucose from your blood. Glucose needs insulin to transport it into your cells to be used as fuel or energy. If your cells do not have sugar for fuel, your body will start by breaking down muscle and fat which can result in a build-up of a possible dangerous by-product called ketones.

Before Amaryl is Prescribed

Ask your doctor about any risks of taking Amaryl if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding. To determine if Amaryl is safe for you to take, tell your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have and list any current OTC or Rx medications you currently take or use, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements.

Amaryl Precautions

Always carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets in case your blood sugar level drops too much. This could happen if you skip a meal because Amaryl is helping to stimulate insulin production to remove sugar from your blood. If there is nothing to remove because you have not eaten you may become faint, dizzy, feel shaky, or develop a headache as your blood glucose is now too low. If you are ill and unable to eat, you should have an emergency glucagon kit at home so you can inject yourself to avoid hypoglycemia.

Possible Side Effects of Amaryl

• Nausea
• Headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Flu-like symptoms