Amaryl 1mg Tablet

Amaryl 1 mg tablet is an anti-diabetic medicine containing Glimepiride as its active ingredient. It is helpful for type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet & exercise alone are not able to control your blood sugar levels. Avoid taking Amaryl 1 if you are allergic to it, have any liver or kidney diseases or have type 1 diabetes.

Take this tablet in doses and duration as prescribed by the doctor. It should be taken after having your food. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding and about all the medicines and supplements you take and all the conditions or diseases you suffer from before starting this medicine.

Dosage

Overdose

• Overdose can cause low blood sugar levels, which can cause nausea, vomiting, restlessness, tremor, visual disturbances, sleepiness, coma.
• Immediately consume some sugar or sugar-containing drink.
• If the person has fainted, do not give food or drink.
• You must seek immediate emergency medical care if you suspect an overdose with Amaryl 1 mg tablets.

Missed a Dose

• If you missed any dose of Amaryl 1 mg tablet, then take it as soon as you remember.
• If it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for a missed one.
• Taking a dual dose can lead to a dangerous fall in blood glucose levels.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin moves sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells. The cells then use it as fuel for energy.
• In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t utilize insulin properly, so the sugar is not able to enter the cells and stays in your bloodstream.
• Glimepiride increases the amount of insulin released from your pancreas. This insulin then lowers your blood sugar levels.

Directions for Use

Amaryl 1 mg tablets should be taken as directed by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water, do not cut, break or chew the medicine. It should be taken with or after a meal to reduce its side effects. It would be best if you took it at a fixed time for optimal results and not consume it more than that prescribed by your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Amaryl 1 mg tablet during pregnancy?

Amaryl 1 mg tablets should not be used during pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby, your doctor may switch to insulin therapy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Amaryl 1 mg tablet while breastfeeding?

• Glimepiride may pass into breast milk and should not be taken during breastfeeding.
• If you are on Amaryl 1 mg tablet (prescribed by a physician), then monitor your breastfed baby for signs of low blood glucose levels such as irritation, sleepiness, poor feeding, fits, low body temperature.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Amaryl 1 mg tablet?

• Amaryl 1 mg tablet can cause low blood sugar levels, which can lead to drowsiness, unconsciousness, confusion. These can be dangerous while driving.
• Consult your doctor whether you can drive a car if you have frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia.
• Keep a juice or a bar of chocolate in the car close to you while driving and in case you start feeling any of the above symptoms of hypoglycaemia, immediately drink the juice or eat the chocolate bar. Note that artificial sweeteners are not of any use in such scenarios.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Amaryl 1 mg tablet?

Be cautious not to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol increases the risk of low blood sugar.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You experience extreme hunger, headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, restlessness, aggression, reduced alertness and reaction time, confusion, shakiness, dizziness. These could be signs of low blood sugar. If you have any of these, immediately have sugar or sweet juice.
• You are suffering from severe liver disease or kidney disease.
• You have G6PD deficiency, and Glimepiride can cause hemolytic anaemia (destruction of red blood cells).

Contraindications

• If you have an allergy to Glimepiride or Sulfonylureas or Sulfonamides or any other ingredients of Amaryl 1 mg tablets.
• If you have type1 diabetes.
• If you have the following signs like fatigue, nausea, frequent urination and muscle stiffness (due to diabetic ketoacidosis).
• If you have severe kidney or liver disease.

Side effects

• Dizziness
• Abnormal taste sensation.
• Weight gain.
• Hypoglycaemia
• Allergic reactions like skin rash, breathing difficulty, drop in blood pressure.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• You should always tell the doctor if you are taking any other medicines, herbal preparation and supplements to avoid any interaction with Amaryl 1 mg tablet.
• These medicines along with Amaryl 1 mg tablets can cause a drastic fall in blood glucose levels: Fluconazole, Aspirin, antidiabetic products like Metformin, Insulin, Warfarin, Ramipril, Lisinopril, Allopurinol.
• These medicines can interfere with Amaryl 1 mg tablet and cause an increase in blood glucose: Oestrogens, Progestogens, Diuretics, Levothyroxine, Rifampicin, Glucocorticoids, Chlorpromazine.
• Beta-blockers (e.g. Propranolol) poses the risk of excessive fall in blood sugar levels. They may also hide sure signs of low blood sugar.

Interactions with food items

You should have a diabetic diet as advised by your doctor or dietician. Amaryl 1 mg tablet works best along with a proper diet and exercise. Exercise is known to decrease insulin resistance.

Storage and disposal

Amaryl 1 mg tablets do not require any special storage conditions. Try to keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which blood tests should I do to check if my diabetes is under control?

• You may do tests like fasting blood glucose, post-meal blood glucose (postprandial blood glucose), HbA1C.
• It is advisable to do tests like kidney/ renal function test, liver function test, an eye test, at least once a year as diabetes is known to affect your eyes, liver and even kidneys.

What diet should I follow along with Amaryl 1 mg tablet?

• Diet should include chapatis, multigrain bread, rice with vegetables, sprouts, roasted grams, plain cooked dal, soups, steamed vegetables, vegetables cooked with less oil, Jamun berry, orange, guava, apple, watermelon, papaya, cow’s milk, curd, thin buttermilk, fish (grilled, baked or steamed), peanuts, cashew nuts, walnuts (handful).
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.
• A diet should be high in fibre, low in fat with adequate protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
• Avoiding maida, white bread, potato, noodles, corn flakes, poori, biryani, naan, fried rice, etc can help.
• Avoiding cream soups, carrot juice, deep-fried vegetables, packaged food is recommended.

My blood sugar drops quite often. What should I do?

• Talk to your doctor about these frequent episodes of low blood glucose if need be, your doctor may decrease the dose of your medicine or change its timing.
• Have your meals on time, never skip or delay your meals.
• Do not drastically change your diet unless told by your doctor or dietician.
• Avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
• Do not over-exercise.

Should Amaryl be taken with food?

Amaryl should be taken exactly as told by the doctor. It's best to take Amaryl in the morning with breakfast or make sure you take it with your first meal of the day. Try to take it at the same time every day for optimum results.

What is the difference between Amaryl and Amaryl M?

Amaryl contains glimepiride while Amaryl M contains glimepiride and metformin, as its active components. Both the medicines are antidiabetic. Based on the illness and your test results, your doctor will prescribe a suitable medicine to you. Do not self-medicate.

What is the composition of Amaryl 1mg?

Amaryl 1 mg composition consists of Glimepiride as its active ingredient.

When should I take Amaryl 1 mg?

Amaryl 1 mg should be taken with or after a meal to reduce its side effects. It would be best if you took it at a fixed time for optimal results and not consume it more than that prescribed by your doctor.

What is the dose of Amaryl tablet?

The doctor will decide the specific dose for a specific duration depending on the underlying condition and the patient's response to the treatment. Do not take it endlessly on your own without consulting a doctor.