Every year, an increasing number of people on our planet are faced with such an insidious ailment as diabetes. Medicine knows many varieties of this pathology, but most often diabetes is precisely the first and second degree. Such diseases require constant and immediate treatment. There are many medications for treating diabetes. In this article we will consider what is the drug "Glimepiride". Instructions for use of this pharmaceutical product, as well as contraindications, composition, indications and analogues, you can study in this article. We hope that it will be useful to readers.
What does the drug consist of?
"Glimepiride" instructions describe as a medicine, which includes the active substance glimepiride. It can be presented in various dosages. In addition, the composition also includes such auxiliary components as magnesium stearate, cellulose, lactose monohydrate and povidone. Also, the composition of the drug includes dyes, the content of which depends on the dosage of the active component.
A few words about the form of release
"Glimepiride" instruction describes how tablets having a flat-cylindrical shape, as well as different colors, depending on the dosage of the substance. You may find pills painted in green, pink, blue or yellow.
In this case, the drug is placed in blisters, and those, in turn, are in cardboard packaging.
The main properties of the drug
This medication is used only for insulin-type diabetes. The active substance that is part of the drug is able to release insulin in the pancreas. How the medicine will affect the body depends on the dosage of the active substance. It should be borne in mind that with active physical exertion, insulin production is significantly reduced.
The medicine is very rapidly absorbed into the blood, and after two to three hours the dosage in the blood plasma reaches its maximum value. The tool is perfectly absorbed in the digestive organs, while this process is absolutely independent of meals. It is worth considering that glimepiride is able to cross the placental barrier. Typically, the drug is eliminated from the body within seven hours, however, if the patient took the medicine in excessive dosage, the elimination period may be slightly extended. The drug is excreted from the human body by the kidneys.
In what cases can I apply?
The drug "Glimepiride" instructions describes as a medication intended for those patients who do not need insulin injections, as well as those for whom a small dosage of the drug will be enough. When doctors prescribe Glimepiride tablets to patients, they recommend combining the healing process with the implementation of special physical exercises, as well as dietary adherence. Most often, to get the best results, doctors prescribe the antidiabetic Metformin together with these pills.
Are there any contraindications?
Like any other drug, the drug "Glimepiride" (the active substance is indicated in this article) has some contraindications for use. Therefore, before using the medicine, be sure to consult a doctor, and carefully read the instructions for use.
In no case should you use this medicine to pregnant and lactating women, since its active substances are able to penetrate into breast milk, as well as pass through the placenta. Also, the tool should not be used by those patients who suffer from hypersensitivity to any component that is part of the medication.
The tool is intended only for the treatment of the second type of diabetes. And this suggests that with a disease of the first type it is forbidden to use it. Also, you can not drink tablets with ketoacidosis and a diabetic coma. The drug "Glimepiride" instruction also does not recommend taking patients suffering from serious ailments of the kidneys and liver.
Are side effects possible?
In fact, Glimepiride tablets are a very serious drug, therefore, they can lead to many side effects. That is why you need to use the product as carefully as possible, only after your doctor recommends it.
So, the use of the drug "Glimepiride" can lead to the development of side effects such as:
- The appearance of allergic reactions. Usually, rashes, swelling and hives appear on the patient's skin. In this case, the skin begins to actively itch and itch.
- Very often there are undesirable effects on the part of the digestive system. The patient may begin to complain of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as pain in the abdomen.
- Some patients begin to develop vascular pathologies, as well as liver diseases.
- Perhaps a decrease in blood pressure, a decrease in the amount of sodium in the body.
If the patient is worried about the unpleasant sensations that arose while taking the drug, the doctor should be told about this. Perhaps he will adjust the dosage.
The drug "Glimepiride": instructions for use
Each patient should be responsible for the state of his health. After all, the effectiveness of treatment will primarily depend on whether the patient observes the principles of proper nutrition, and also on whether he performs physical exercises. The dosage of the medicine is established only by an experienced specialist, after an appropriate examination.
It is best to take the medicine directly during meals or shortly before it. You need to do this in the morning, it is best during breakfast. Thanks to this, you can avoid gag reflexes and nausea. In no case do not chew the pills, and also do not break or crush them. Swallow tablets whole with a moderate amount of liquid. Typically, the medicine begins to be taken in the minimum dosage, after which it is gradually increased (if necessary).
Very often, this tool can be used during combined treatment. In this case, Glimepiride is used as an adjuvant in conjunction with Insulin or Metformin. In this case, the treatment process also needs to start with the lowest possible dosage, and then increase it, guided by the analyzes.
If the development of side effects began even when the patient used the smallest doses, then this medicine should not be taken at all. Then the doctor should find the most optimal alternative for you.
If you are forced to switch from one drug for diabetes to another, then this must be done with extreme caution. The patient should be under the strict supervision of a specialist.
Overdose
Many patients are interested in the question of how to take Glimepiride. The instruction recommends starting to use this medicine with the lowest possible dosage, and then gradually increasing the content of the active substance. If the drug is used for a long period in high doses, this can cause the development of hypoglycemia, which can last up to seventy-two hours. It should be prepared for the fact that such a condition can occur repeatedly.
Usually, symptoms of overdose can be noticed already on the first day after taking the medicine excessively. The patient begins to complain of side effects from the digestive system. Seizures, severe headaches may also occur. Often there is a decrease in coordination and vision. In some cases, an excessively increased dosage can lead to a prolonged coma.
Important notes
Please note that in some cases, taking Glimepiride tablets (analogues are presented below) can slow down psychomotor reactions, therefore, during the course of treatment it is not recommended to drive a car or drive serious mechanisms.
If hypo- or hyperglycemia occurs while taking Glimepiride tablets, the dosage of which must be selected individually, then it is not recommended to use tablets. Typically, this condition occurs with an increase or decrease in weight, as well as under the influence of many other factors.
Very often, at the very beginning of treatment, patients may suffer from the development of hypoglycemia. Typically, this condition occurs in cases where the patient does not eat properly, leads an improper lifestyle. In order to avoid such an unpleasant state, it is necessary to include increased carbohydrate intake in the diet.
The entire treatment process should be accompanied by a blood and urine test for sugar.
Use by pregnant and lactating women
The drug "Glimepiride" can not be used by women during pregnancy. Therefore, if you plan to conceive a child, be sure to consult a doctor. In this case, the tool will have to be replaced. Also, the medicine can not be used by women during breastfeeding. Therefore, do not take risks, take care of your well-being, about the health of your baby.
Important Precautions
Many patients are interested in the question: how much does Glimepiride cost? In fact, such a medicine is relatively inexpensive. For one package of funds you will have to pay only about a hundred rubles.
Once again, I want to emphasize that you need to take the medicine "Glimepiride" very carefully. First of all, this applies to the elderly. Patients in this age category are prone to side effects. They begin to develop not only often, but also expressed more clearly.
Do not drive a car until you understand what effect this medication has on you. If the product leads to drowsiness, then driving a car will be extremely dangerous.
In no case do not take alcohol during treatment with Glimepiride. After all, what effect it will have on your body together with the active substance glimepiride is unknown. In some cases, it increases its content in the blood, in some, on the contrary, it lowers.
In case of an overdose, be sure to contact a medical institution or call an ambulance. Specialists should be given symptomatic therapy.
A few words about drug interactions
Not all glimepiride tablets can be combined with all drugs. The manufacturer claims that certain types of drug interactions can cause serious harm to your health, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. It is not recommended to combine Glimepiride with anticoagulants, antibiotics, non-steroidal and hormonal drugs. However, a compromise can always be found.
Glimepiride: analogues
In fact, there are many analogues of this medication. Substitutes are those drugs that have a similar composition and have a similar effect on the body. Most often, doctors prescribe to their patients such analogues of Glimepiride tablets as Meglimid, Amaril, Glumano, Glumedex and many others. But do not self-medicate. Only an experienced specialist can make a decision about replacing a drug.
conclusions
Many people believe that diabetes is a sentence. But it is not so. Following a diet, giving up bad habits and playing sports can significantly improve your health. Using the right medicines, you won’t even notice that you have diabetes. Therefore, you will enjoy life as before, nothing will change. Many are interested in "Glimepiride" or "Diabeton", which is better? It is impossible to give a definite answer, because both drugs are incredibly effective.
Glimepiride is a time-tested medicine, and Diabeton is a more modern medicine. Whatever tool you choose, be sure to tell the doctor about it, consult with him. Your health is in your hands. Take care of yourself, take care, then you will not be afraid of any disease. And do not forget that any ailment is much easier to prevent than to treat.