Amaryl tablets 1 mg for type 2 diabetes mellitus (glimepiride)

General information on Japanese Amaryl tablets 1 mg for type 2 diabetes mellitus (glimepiride)

Package details: 100 tablets

Manufacturer: Sanofi K. K., Japan

Active ingredient: glimepiride (chemical formula C24H34N4O5S)

Medical effect: Amaryl tablets are effective for the treatment of  type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Contraindications and precautions: do not use for the following categories of patients:

• pregnant, possibly pregnant or breastfeeding women,
• patients with ketosis, diabetic coma or precoma,
• patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus,
• patients with hepatic or renal disorder, infection, or gastrointestinal disorder such as diarrhea and vomiting.
• patients in the pre- or postoperative period,
• people who cannot take sufficient meal due to a cold, etc.

As this medicine may cause hypoglycemia, patient should pay close attention when working at heights or operating dangerous machinery such as driving a car.

Patient should carry a card stating that they have diabetes mellitus.

If hypoglycemia symptoms occur, patient should take an adequate amount of sugar (e.g., sugar, glucose, soft drinks). If a patient is taking this medicine concomitantly with an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (such as voglibose and acarbose), they should ingest glucose in case of any hypoglycemic symptoms.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop taking the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication, please consult with your doctor before use.

Dosage and administration

Start by taking 0.5-1 mg of the active ingredient, 1-2 times a day, in the morning or in the morning and evening, before or after meal. Then gradually increase up to the maintenance dose of 1-4 mg a day. The doctor in charge may adjust the dosage as necessary. However, the maximum daily dose of 6 mg should not be exceeded. Please note that this medicine contains 1 mg of the active ingredient in a tablet.

How effective are Amaryl tablets 1 mg from Japan for type 2 diabetes mellitus (glimepiride)?

Amaryl tablets contain glimepiride, an insulin secretagogue. It works by stimulating the release of insulin by pancreatic beta cells and by inducing increased activity of intracellular insulin receptors. As the result, Amaryl tablets promote secretion of insulin and lower blood sugar.

Who should take Amaryl tablets 1 mg from Japan?

Amaryl tablets are effective for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus. This medicine has a low risk of hypoglycemia (2-4%, compared to 20-30% of other secondary sulfonylureas like glibenclamide). Studies also showed that glimepiride is associated with less weight gain and may be safer in patients with cardiovascular disease because of its lack of detrimental effects on ischemic preconditioning (A. Basit, M. Riaz, A. Fawwad. “Glimepiride: evidence-based facts, trends, and observations”. Vascular Health and Risk Management, 2012; 8: 463–472).