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What is Amaryl
 Amaryl
is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to
help control blood sugar levels.
Amaryl
is used with diet and exercise to treat noninsulin-dependent
(Type II) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Insulin or metformin
(Glucophage) may also be used in combination with Amaryl,
if necessary.
Amaryl
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Amaryl
Treatment with Amaryl may increase the risk of death
from cardiovascular disease compared to treatment of diabetes
with diet alone or diet plus insulin. Discuss with your doctor
the risks and benefits of treatment with Amaryl.
Know
the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast
heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of
hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of
low blood sugar.
Follow diet, medication, and exercise
routines closely. Changing any of them can affect your blood
sugar levels.
Do not change your dose of Amaryl without
first talking to your doctor.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers
blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
What should I discuss with my docotr before taking Amaryl Before taking Amaryl, tell your doctor if you
-
have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
-
have thyroid disease;
- have Type 1 diabetes mellitus
(insulin-dependent diabetes);
- have a serious infection,
illness, or injury; or
- need surgery.
You
may not be able to take Amaryl, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Amaryl is
in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether Amaryl will be harmful to an unborn baby.
Insulin is usually the drug of choice to control diabetes
during pregnancy. Do not take Amaryl without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment.
It is not known whether Amaryl
passes into breast milk. Do not take Amaryl without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Amaryl Take Amaryl exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Amaryl is usually
taken once a day, with breakfast or the first main meal.
Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not change
your dose of Amaryl without first talking to your doctor.
Store Amaryl at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Amaryl overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold
sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma.
Avoid while taking Amaryl Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely.
Changing any of these things can effect your blood sugar
levels.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and
may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Tell
your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication
before you undergo any surgery.
Do not take any over-the-counter
cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight loss medications without
first talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Amaryl Stop taking Amaryl and seek emergency medical attention
if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects
from Amaryl result mostly from blood sugar levels that are
either too high or too low. You should be familiar with
the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and
know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family
and close friends know how to help you in an emergency situation.
Low blood sugar may occur when too much Amaryl is
taken; when meals are missed or delayed; if you exercise
more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting
or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking
alcohol; and in other situations.
Hypoglycemia or
Low blood sugar has the following symptoms:
- shaking;
- headache;
- cold sweats;
- pale,
cool skin;
- anxiety; and
- difficulty concentrating.
Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; fruit juice;
or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood
sugar.
Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough
Amaryl is taken; if you eat significantly more food then
usual; if you exercise less than usual; if you take other
medications; during fever or other illness; and in other
situations.
Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar has
the following symptoms:
- increased thirst,
-
increased hunger, and
- increased urination.
There may be an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular
(heart and blood vessels) complications with the use of
Amaryl when compared to the treatment of diabetes with diet
or diet plus insulin. The long-term use of Amaryl should
be discussed with your doctor.
Side effects other
than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Amaryl Many other medicines may increase or decrease the
effects of Amaryl or affect your condition. Before taking
Amaryl, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
- aspirin or another salicylate such as
magnesium/choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid,
others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate
(Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol);
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis
KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac
(Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve);
- a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
(Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine
(Azulfidine);
- a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate),
or phenelzine (Nardil);
- a beta-blocker such as
propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral),
metoprolol (Lopressor), and others;
- a diuretic
(water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril),
chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others;
- a steroid
medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others),
methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone,
Pediapred, others), and others;
- a phenothiazine
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin,
Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan),
and others;
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- isoniazid
(Nydrazid);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate); or
-
over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or weight loss medications.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Amaryl
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
