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Library Home > Safetychecker by Drug Name > Glimepiride

GLIMEPIRIDE

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Glimepiride is used to treat type 2, or non-insulin dependent, diabetes when diet and exercise alone have been ineffective. It is a type of drug called a sulfonylurea.

Safetychecker Summary for Glimepiride
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

May be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.	Magnesium* Lithium*
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.	Ginkgo biloba Vitamin B3* (Niacin)
Depletion or interference	None known
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 can raise blood sugar levels, which makes diabetes difficult to control.¹ Use of niacin along with glimepiride may increase requirements for the drug. On the other hand, individuals who stop taking niacin while on glimepiride should monitor their blood for lower-than-usual glucose levels.

Magnesium
Supplementing magnesium may enhance the blood-sugar-lowering effects of sulfonylurea drugs.² Though no current studies have investigated whether glimepiride increases the risk of developing hypoglycemia, individuals should closely monitor their blood glucose while taking glimepiride together with magnesium supplements.

Lithium
Lithium is a mineral that may be present in some supplements and is also used in large amounts to treat mood disorders such as manic-depression. Taking lithium and sulfonylurea drugs together may increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia.³ Consequently, people taking glimepiride and lithium together should frequently monitor themselves for low blood glucose.

Ginkgo biloba
In a preliminary trial, administration of Ginkgo biloba extract (120 mg per day) for three months to patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking oral anti-diabetes medication resulted in a significant worsening of glucose tolerance. Ginkgo did not impair glucose tolerance in individuals whose diabetes was controlled by diet.⁴ Individuals taking oral anti-diabetes medication should consult a doctor before taking Ginkgo biloba.

Interactions with Food and Other Compounds

Food
The ingestion of food with glimepiride can lower the overall blood levels of the drug by nearly 10%.⁵ Though this is a minor reduction, maximum effectiveness would be achieved if glimepiride were taken on an empty stomach.

References:

1. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1346–9.

2. Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, Inc., 1997, 213.

3. Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, Inc., 1997, 212.

4. Kudolo GB. The effect of 3-month ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on pancreatic beta-cell function in response to glucose loading in individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Pharmacol2001;41:600–11.

5. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1346–9.

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2003.

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