Patient Education Monograph
Glimepiride Oral
Pronounced
"glim-EP-er-ide"
Drug Interactions
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Beta-blocker medications (including metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs.
Negative Interactions
2- Potential Negative Interaction
Glimepiride
Ginkgo
In a preliminary trial, administration of Ginkgo biloba extract (120 mg per day) for three months to patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking oral anti-diabetes medication resulted in a significant worsening of glucose tolerance. Ginkgo did not impair glucose tolerance in individuals whose diabetes was controlled by diet. Individuals taking oral anti-diabetes medication should consult a doctor before taking Ginkgo biloba.
GinkgoGlimepiride- Kudolo GB. The effect of 3-month ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on pancreatic beta-cell function in response to glucose loading in individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Pharmacol 2001;41:600-11.
- Potential Negative Interaction
Glimepiride
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 can raise blood sugar levels, which makes diabetes difficult to control. Use of niacin along with glimepiride may increase requirements for the drug. On the other hand, individuals who stop taking niacin while on glimepiride should monitor their blood for lower-than-usual glucose levels.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)Glimepiride- Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1346-9.
Supportive Interactions
1- Support Medicine
Glimepiride
Magnesium
Supplementing magnesium may enhance the blood-sugar-lowering effects of sulfonylurea drugs. Though no current studies have investigated whether glimepiride increases the risk of developing hypoglycemia, individuals should closely monitor their blood glucose while taking glimepiride together with magnesium supplements.
MagnesiumGlimepiride- Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, Inc., 1997, 213.