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Amaryl
Amaryl is commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. By lowering blood sugar levels, the drug can decrease the risks of developing long-term problems related to diabetes, such as heart disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. Amaryl comes as a tablet that is taken on a daily basis. As with any medication, side effects are possible, including low blood sugar, dizziness, and headaches.
Amaryl® (glimepiride) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes).
(Click Amaryl Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Brand-name Amaryl is made by sanofi-aventis. Generic Amaryl is made by several manufacturers.
Amaryl is part of a class of diabetes medications known as sulfonylureas. A sulfonylurea helps the pancreas to produce more insulin. It also helps the body's cells respond better to insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels decrease.
In studies looking at the effects of Amaryl, people who took the drug decreased their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by 2 percent, compared to people who did not take it. HbA1c is a test used to measure long-term blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Normal HbA1c levels are usually less than 6 percent in people without diabetes; people with diabetes usually have higher HbA1c results.
Studies have shown that the higher the HbA1c, the greater the chance for developing long-term problems related to diabetes. This includes such problems as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Diabetic nephropathy.
By getting blood sugar levels under control with Amaryl, it may be possible to decrease the chances for developing these diabetes complications.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD