Table of contents:
- Function
- What is Relide for?
- What are the rules for drinking Relide?
- How do I save Relide?
- Dose
- What is the Relide dosage for adult patients?
- What is the Relide dosage for children?
- In what dosages and preparations is Relide available?
- Side effects
- What side effects may occur due to consumption of Relide?
- Warnings and Precautions
- What should be known before taking Relide?
- Is Relide safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with Relide?
- Overdose
- What should I do in the event of an overdose of Relide?
- What if I forget to take medicine?
Function
What is Relide for?
Relide is an antidiabetic drug that works to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes (diabetes). This drug is specifically targeted at those with type two diabetes. Relide is not used for regulating blood sugar in patients with type one diabetes, aka those who are insulin dependent and diabetic ketoacidosis.
The use of Relide in conjunction with a diet program, physical exercise, and weight loss can help type 2 diabetes patients avoid kidney damage, nerve problems, blindness, amputation, and sexual function problems. Good blood sugar control can also help people with diabetes reduce their risk of having a heart attack and stroke.
Relide contains the main active ingredient glimepiride. This drug belongs to the sulfonylurea class of treatment. The way Relide works is by stimulating the release of insulin produced by the pancreas and restoring the body's response to insulin. That way, the body's cells will become more sensitive to insulin so that it remains open to enter sugar circulating in the blood and then breaks it down into energy.
What are the rules for drinking Relide?
Read the instructions for use and follow the directions given by your doctor and pharmacist in taking this drug. Relide is an oral drug that is consumed by mouth with the help of a little drinking water, aka oral medication. Take this medication by swallowing it at the same time as breakfast or the first meal of the day.
Relide is usually taken once a day or as directed by your doctor. At the start of treatment, your doctor may give you a low dose and increase it gradually according to your body's tolerance. Tell your doctor if you are also taking other diabetes medications because they will affect the medication you are taking and possibly the dose of Relide.
Glimepiride contained in Relide can interact with colesevelam. If you also have to take colesevelam while on Relide treatment, make sure that you give one drug a break so that the absorption of glimepiride is not interrupted. Take colesevelam at least four hours after you take Relide.
Take this medication as directed by your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop medication even if you feel better without consulting your doctor first. The dosage given takes into account your health condition, your body's response to treatment, and the other products you consume.
To get the desired results, take Relide regularly. Take this medication at the same time each day with the first meal of the day, so that it is easier for you to remember. If the condition does not improve, even gets worse, contact your doctor immediately. You may need to adjust the dosage again.
How do I save Relide?
Store this medication at room temperature. Do not store this medication in hot areas and exposed to direct sunlight. You should not store this medication in a damp place, such as a bathroom. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
If you have not used this medicine or its validity period has expired, discard this medicine safely. Do not flush it down the toilet or drain, unless instructed to do so. You can consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company regarding how to safely dispose of your product.
Dose
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the Relide dosage for adult patients?
- Initial dose: 1 mg, once a day
- Can be increased over 1-2 weeks in increments of up to 6 mg (or 8 mg in exceptional cases)
- Patients with well controlled diabetes: 1 - 4 mg per day
What is the Relide dosage for children?
The dosage and administration of Relide for children have not been established.
In what dosages and preparations is Relide available?
Tablet, Oral: 2 mg, 4 mg
Side effects
What side effects may occur due to consumption of Relide?
Almost every drug has side effects, but rarely actually have a serious effect on the many people who take them. Keep in mind, when your doctor gives this medication, it means your doctor assesses that the benefits it provides outweigh the risk of possible side effects.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach pain may occur as a result of using this medicine. Contact your doctor immediately if these symptoms persist or even get worse.
Some of the other side effects that may occur due to the consumption of Relide are:
- Blurred vision
- Hepatitis or liver damage (characterized by jaundice / yellowing of the eyes and skin)
- Increased enzymes in the liver
Hypoglycemia may also result from taking this drug, especially if you are also taking other oral diabetes medications. Hypoglycemia can be aggravated if you lack calorie intake and do too much physical activity more than usual. For first aid, give glucose orally, it can be obtained from table sugar, honey, or candy.
Tell your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, which is characterized by itching, rash, redness, swelling of the face / eyes / lips / tongue / throat, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Warnings and Precautions
What should be known before taking Relide?
- Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to glimepiride, sulfonylureas, or any other medications. Relide may contain other ingredients that can cause allergies. Also inform your doctor about any other allergies you have, such as allergies to food or certain conditions
- Tell your doctor about any health conditions you have, including diseases that you have or are currently suffering from, especially type 1 diabetes, diabetes ketoacidosis, pre-coma or coma diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and kidney problems.
- You may experience visual disturbances, weakness, and drowsiness due to changes in blood sugar levels at the beginning of taking this drug. Do not engage in activities requiring high alertness, such as driving, after taking Relide before knowing how your body responds to this drug
- Tell your doctor all the products you use, including nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Some products may interact to decrease how the drug works. A list of interactions can be seen in the next section
- Inform your doctor or dentist about using Relide if you are planning to have surgery or dental surgery
- Tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant and need blood sugar control. The use of this drug in pregnant women is only permitted when absolutely necessary. Your doctor may provide alternative treatment
Is Relide safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There have been no controlled studies regarding the use of this drug and its risks in pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, animal studies suggest a risk to the fetus. Talk to your doctor about giving this medicine during pregnancy. Switching to insulin to control blood sugar may be a good option. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies this drug into a category C pregnancy risk (possibly risky).
Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with Relide?
Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed below. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.
The following are some of the products that may interact with Relide:
- Insulin and other diabetes drugs
- ACE inhibitors
- Allopurinol
- Anabolic steroids and testosterone
- Chloramphenicol
- Disopyramide
- Fenfluramine
- Fluoxetine
- Guanethidine
- Miconazole
- Ifosfamide
- Phenylbutazone
- Azapropazone
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Probenecid
- Quinolones
- Salicylates
- Sulfonamides
- Tetracycline
- Tritoqualine
- Trophosfamide
- Acetazolamide
- Barbiturates
- Corticosteroids
- Diazoxide
- Diuretic
- Epinephrine and other sympathomimetic drugs
- Glucagon
- Laxative
- Estrogens and progesterone
- Phenytoin
- Rifampicin
- Thyroid hormone
- Betablockers, such as metoprolol, propranolol, timolol
Overdose
What should I do in the event of an overdose of Relide?
Immediately call for emergency medical assistance (119) or the emergency room of the nearest hospital if you see signs of an emergency or an overdose of glimepiride contained in Relide. Symptoms of an overdose can include hypoglycemia, which is characterized by body shaking, excessive hunger, decreased consciousness, and seizures.
What if I forget to take medicine?
Immediately take medication from the missed schedule as soon as you remember it along with eating. However, if it is nearing the schedule for taking the next medication, ignore the missed schedule. Take this drug again on the schedule that you have previously set (return to normal schedule).