Glimepiride oral tablet is prescribed for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes. It’s in a group of drugs called sulfonylureas. Glimepiride can cause mild or serious side effects. These include low blood sugar and weight gain.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved glimepiride oral tablet to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s used along with diet and exercise.
This article describes possible side effects of glimepiride oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for glimepiride.
Glimepiride oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Amaryl.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about glimepiride oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.
More common side effects of glimepiride
Glimepiride oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of glimepiride oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of glimepiride in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of glimepiride
Glimepiride may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of glimepiride oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- nausea
- weakness
- headache
- flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, or body aches
- sun sensitivity
- weight gain*
- mild low blood sugar*
- dizziness*
- mild allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of glimepiride in detail” section below.
Glimepiride oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of glimepiride
Glimepiride may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from glimepiride oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with glimepiride oral tablet.
Serious side effects of glimepiride oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of glimepiride in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of glimepiride
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of glimepiride oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Will the different strengths of glimepiride, such as 2 mg, cause different side effects?
No, different strengths of glimepiride aren’t expected to cause different side effects. However, your risk for side effects may be higher with higher doses. This is generally true for many medications, including glimepiride.
Doctors typically prescribe a starting dosage of glimepiride, 1 mg or 2 mg per day. They may then increase the dosage to 4 mg if needed. The dose increase is typically based on blood sugar levels and side effects. If you have side effects with 2 mg per day, your doctor will likely avoid increasing your dosage to 4 mg per day.
Talk with your doctor about the glimepiride dosage that best fits your needs.
Does glimepiride cause long-term side effects?
Sometimes. Most side effects from glimepiride are mild and go away on their own. In rare cases, a serious side effect may become a long-term problem.
Long-term side effects could be side effects that start during your glimepiride treatment. They could also start after you stop taking the drug. They can last for months or years.
In rare cases, glimepiride may cause liver inflammation. This side effect may have to be managed long term. Another example of a long-term side effect glimepiride may cause is weight gain. You may experience weight gain at any time while taking glimepiride. This side effect can occur even if you’ve taken the drug for a long time.
Talk with your doctor about your health history and your risks for glimepiride side effects. They’ll let you know which symptoms to watch out for.
If I take glimepiride, will I experience diarrhea or constipation?
No, probably not. In studies of glimepiride, nausea was the most common digestive symptom. Diarrhea and constipation were not reported.
However, diarrhea can be a symptom of diabetes, which glimepiride is used to treat. Also, diarrhea and constipation are both common side effects of metformin. Metformin is another drug that’s used to treat diabetes. Read more about other type 2 diabetes medications and their side effects in this article.
If you have questions about diarrhea or constipation while taking glimepiride, talk with your doctor.
Is hair loss a side effect of glimepiride?
No, hair loss wasn’t seen in studies of glimepiride. There were some reports of hair loss in people taking glimepiride after it was available for use. But hair loss may or may not be connected to glimepiride.
Hair loss can also be caused by diabetes, which glimepiride is used to treat. Diabetes that is not well-managed can damage small blood vessels. This damage may affect your hair follicle cells.
Talk with your doctor about safe ways to treat or prevent hair loss.
Can glimepiride cause erectile dysfunction?
No, glimepiride is not a cause of erectile dysfunction. But type 2 diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction. (Glimepiride is used to treat type 2 diabetes.)
Type 2 diabetes that is not well managed for a long time can cause damage to small blood vessels and nerves. Nerve damage and decreased blood flow can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about erectile dysfunction.
Will I experience liver problems if I take glimepiride?
Maybe. Liver problems were a rare side effect in studies of glimepiride.
Examples of liver problems include:
Your liver is needed to process glimepiride and remove it from your body. If you already have liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dosage of glimepiride or choose a different medication.
Your doctor will also monitor your liver function with blood tests during your glimepiride treatment.
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Side effects of glimepiride in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of glimepiride oral tablet.
Weight gain
Weight gain was a side effect in studies of glimepiride. All sulfonylureas, such as glimepiride, can cause weight gain. But the weight gain caused by these drugs is usually small.
It’s also important to note that having overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. It can also lead to complications from the condition.
Ways to manage
If you gain weight while taking glimepiride, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to maintain a weight that is healthy for you.
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet changes, an exercise routine, and good sleep hygiene. They may also recommend prescription medications, such as semaglutide (Wegovy), or working with a dietician or nutritionist.
Also, sometimes weight gain may be due to another medical condition, such as thyroid disease. Your doctor can help determine what may be causing your weight gain.
Dizziness
Dizziness was a common side effect in studies of glimepiride. With dizziness, you may experience lightheadedness, fainting, or lack of balance.
Dizziness is also a symptom of high blood sugar and low blood sugar. Low blood sugar happens more often with glimepiride. (See the “Low blood sugar” section below for details.)
Ways to manage
Dizziness from glimepiride is usually temporary. Sometimes treatment may include eating a meal, resting, or drinking water.
In other cases, there may be something else causing your dizziness. For example, dizziness can be a symptom of low blood pressure, anemia, heart rhythm problems, or anxiety.
If your dizziness does not go away in a few hours or comes back frequently, talk with your doctor. They can help you find the cause and decide on the right treatment.
If you have dizziness that does not go away, it can interfere with your ability to work, drive, or participate in activities. You should not try to do anything that requires coordination or alertness while you are dizzy.
Low blood sugar
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) was a common side effect in studies of glimepiride. Low blood sugar can be mild or severe.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- sweating
- excess hunger
- trouble sleeping
- blurred vision
- fast heart rate
- dizziness
- fatigue (low energy)
- irritability
- paleness
- trouble concentrating
In severe cases, low blood sugar can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, or coma.
Some symptoms of hypoglycemia may not always be obvious. For example, in older adults, dizziness can sometimes be harder to notice. Also, in people who take beta-blocker medications, a fast heart rate can be hidden because of those medications. An example of a beta-blocker medication is propranolol (Inderal LA, Inderal XL).
Ways to manage
You may notice that your blood sugar is too low because you have symptoms. Or you may notice when you check your blood sugar level.
If you start to experience symptoms while taking glimepiride, eat or drink something that contains sugar your body can quickly absorb. Examples include a glucose tablet, a piece of candy, or a glass of juice. A diet soda or a diet- or sugar-free candy will not treat low blood sugar. Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you to manage low blood sugar.
It’s also important to note that severe low blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness. In these cases, you’ll need immediate medical attention. Talk with your friends and family about symptoms of low blood sugar, so that they know what to do in an emergency.
Allergic reaction
For some people, glimepiride oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to glimepiride oral tablet, your doctor may recommend you take a different medication instead.
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Get free cardWarnings for glimepiride
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking glimepiride oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take glimepiride oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether glimepiride oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking glimepiride oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.
Difficulty noticing low blood sugar symptoms. If you take glimepiride, your doctor or pharmacist can talk with you about how to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar. (For details, see “Low blood sugar” in the “Side effects of glimepiride details” section above.)
Some medications and conditions hide the symptoms of low blood sugar, so it’s harder to recognize. These include beta-blocker medications, autonomic nerve damage, and older age. An example of a beta-blocker medication is propranolol (Inderal La, Inderal XL). Talk with your doctor about your health history and medications before starting treatment with glimepiride.
Liver or kidney problems. Glimepiride is removed from your body through your liver and kidneys. If you have liver or kidney problems, you may be at higher risk for glimepiride side effects. (Some examples of liver or kidney problems include liver failure and chronic kidney disease.) This is more common in adults ages 65 years and older. If you have liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dosage of glimepiride. They may also choose a different medication.
G6PD deficiency. Glimepiride can cause hemolytic anemia in certain people. Hemolytic anemia is a condition that damages red blood cells. If you have a genetic trait called glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, you are at higher risk of developing hemolytic anemia. Talk with your doctor about testing for this genetic trait. If you have G6PD deficiency, they may choose a different type of drug to treat your condition.
Allergic reaction. Glimepiride studies showed serious allergic reactions including angioedema, anaphylaxis, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to glimepiride oral tablet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.
Glimepiride and pregnancy
There is not enough information to determine the safety of glimepiride during pregnancy. When a sulfonylurea was taken at the time of delivery, there were reports of low blood sugar that lasted 4 to 10 days in newborns. (Glimepiride is part of a group of drugs called sulfonylureas.)
It’s important to manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy. People sometimes have diabetes for the first time during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They may monitor you closely or prescribe a different drug.
Glimepiride and breastfeeding
There is not enough information to determine how safe glimepiride is during breastfeeding.
Studies haven’t been done on humans. But the manufacturer advises to watch out for symptoms of low blood sugar in a child who is breastfed. These symptoms may include:
- trouble feeding
- excess sleepiness
- trouble breathing
- seizures
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking glimepiride while breastfeeding.
Glimepiride and alcohol
Glimepiride oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol leads to low blood sugar. Glimepiride also lowers blood sugar. Taking them together could make your blood sugar too low.
There is also a rare effect called a disulfiram-like reaction that can happen when you take glimepiride with alcohol. Symptoms include flushing and vomiting.
If you’d like to drink alcohol while taking glimepiride oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of glimepiride oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Am I at high risk of the hypoglycemia side effect with glimepiride?
- Do any of my other diabetes medications increase my risk of glimepiride side effects?
- Will a higher dosage of glimepiride cause more side effects?
- If I have glimepiride side effects, can I take a different sulfonylurea instead?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
