Amaryl

Amaryl product description

Drug uses

Amaryl is an oral hypoglycemic drug from the III generation sulfonylurea group. Amaryl is indicated as an adjunct to dietary management and physical exercise for reducing hyperglycemia in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2).

Amaryl improves the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to the action of native insulin by stimulating the insulin release from the beta cells of the pancreas. Note that the patients, who fails to reduce hyperglycemia only by hypoglycemic drug, can use Amaryl in combination with insulin.

The recommended starting dose of Amaryl for adolescents over 18 years of age and adults is 1 mg or 2 mg, once daily. The maximum daily dose of Amaryl for adults is 8 mg. Amaryl should be taken in the morning, during breakfast or first meal of the day. There is no data on the safety of Amaryl in children and adolescents younger than 18 years, therefore, the hypoglycemic medication is not recommended for use in pediatric population.

Missed dose

The patients should follow the dose regimen and not skip the next Amaryl dose to obtain and maintain a stable hypoglycemic effect. If the patient forgot to take the drug, she/he must take the missed dose immediately as soon as remembers.

It is recommended to skip the missed dose, if the time to take another Amaryl dose is soon to come. Take the next dose of the hypoglycemic drug as usually, without increasing it, and adhering to the usual dosing schedule.

More information

To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia in patients with renal impairment and in elderly patients, the initial daily dose of Amaryl in these patient groups should not exceed 1 mg. Before starting the hypoglycemic therapy with Amaryl during lactation, the patient is recommended to transfer the child to artificial feeding.

Storage

Amaryl tablets should be stored in a dry place, in well-closed plastic bottles or original aluminum blisters, at temperature of 15°C and 30°C.

Amaryl safety information

Warnings

Hypo- or hyperglycaemia may develop in some patients at the beginning of therapy or in irregular Amaryl use, and can affect the ability to drive and operate machinery. If hypoglycaemic response has developed in a patient, taking 1 mg per day, it indicates that the normalization of blood glucose levels of this patient may be achieved through diet, and Amaryl is not required.

Amaryl should be used with caution in patients with favism, since the hypoglycemic drug may cause hemolytic anemia in these patients. Amaryl is not recommended to the patients with type 1 diabetes and the patients, who have developed an allergic reaction to sulfonamide derivatives.

Disclaimer

Information about antidiabetic drug Amaryl is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for a professional advice of a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes and general medicine. The online pharmacy disclaims any responsibility for the completeness, accuracy, or usefulness of any information on oral hypoglycemic agent Amaryl.

Amaryl side effects

Amaryl safety studies have demonstrated that this hypoglycemic drug may cause headaches in approximately 8% of patients. Amaryl pills increase the risk of: hypoglycemia, flu syndrome, nausea, vertigo, and accidental injury in approximately 4-6% of patients.

Less often undesirable effects are: aggressiveness, agranulocytosis, aphasia, asthenia, cerebral convulsions, confusion, delirium, depression, disordered sleep, haemolytic anemia, helplessness, lassitude, loss of self-control, nausea, pareses, restlessness, sensory disturbances, sleepiness, speech disorders, tremor, visual disorders, visual impairment, impaired alertness, concentration or reactions.

Undesirable effects of Amaryl do not manifest or are mild in the majority of patients. Therefore, this drug can be used for a long-term glycemic control with duration, exceeding 1 year.