Like all sulfonylureas, glimepiride acts as an insulin secretagogue. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells and by increasing the activity of insulin receptors within the cells.
Metformin reduces blood glucose levels by decreasing glucose production in the liver.
Metformin reduces intestinal absorption of glucose.
Metformin increases insulin sensitivity, leading to increased glucose uptake and utilization.
Medical uses of Amaryl M 500/2 mg tablets
Glimepiride is used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. It is used when diet and exercise alone fail to control the diabetes.
How to use Amaryl M 500/2 mg tablets
This medicine is for adults only.
Take it as directed by your doctor.
Take with food, with the first meal of the day.
Take the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
It is important to follow the diet and exercise plan prescribed by your doctor.
The usual starting dose is one tablet once a day with breakfast. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose.
Doses may be changed under special circumstances, so always follow your doctor or pharmacist's instructions.
If you take more medicine than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose.
Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for a missed dose.
Side effects of Amaryl M 500/2 mg tablets
Although the following side effects are not common to everyone, some patients may experience:
sensitive
low blood sugar levels
liver problems
nausea
diarrhea
upset stomach
Decrease in the number of cells in the blood (platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells)
vision problems
Use of Amaryl M 500/2 mg tablets during pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Your doctor will discuss the potential risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Helpful tips for diabetics
All carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels, so it's important to know which foods contain carbohydrates. Choose healthy carbohydrate-containing foods and be aware of the portion size (amount of carbohydrates) required.
Reduce your salt intake. Eating too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure, which in turn increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. When you have diabetes, you're already at greater risk for all of these conditions.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. This can help you get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs daily to maintain your health.
If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as weakness, dizziness, increased sweating, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, or difficulty concentrating, eating or drinking something containing sugar usually helps.
Warnings and precautions while using Amaryl M 500/2 mg tablets
Talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions before taking this medicine, including:
If you are recovering from an injury, operation, infection, fever, or other forms of stress.
If you have liver or kidney problems.
If you have a deficiency of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including non-prescription medicines, prescription medicines, herbal supplements, vitamins and nutritional supplements.
How to store Amaryl M 500/2 mg tablets
Store below 25°C.
Do not refrigerate the medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Must be stored in the original container to protect from moisture.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton/blister/label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Your health in numbers
Random blood sugar test: A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Regardless of when you last ate, a blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher indicates diabetes. A blood sugar level below 140 mg/dL is considered normal, and a reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates diabetes risk.
Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after you fast overnight. A fasting blood sugar level below 100 mg/dL is normal. A fasting blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dL is considered prediabetes. If the level is 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests, you may have diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test: For this test, you fast overnight, and your fasting blood sugar level is measured. You then drink a sugary liquid, and your blood sugar levels are tested periodically for the next two hours.
For more information about Glimepiride
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Through the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's Tamenni app
