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:
- headache
- nausea
- weakness
- mild or severe low blood sugar*
- dizziness*
* 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:
- liver problems, such as:
- high liver enzymes
- reduced or blocked bile flow
- liver inflammation
- buildup of blood components in the liver
- jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin discoloration)
- syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
- hemolytic anemia (a condition that causes red blood cell damage)
- accidental injury, such as falls
- severe low blood sugar*
- severe allergic reaction*
* 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:
- higher liver enzyme levels
- bile duct blockage
- liver inflammation
- jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin discoloration)
- buildup of blood components in your liver
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.
Coupon for glimepiride
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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.
