Patient was educated on the side effects of using Glimepiride as follows:
Hypoglycemia
- Glimepiride acts by stimulating release of more insulin from the cells of pancreas. Increased insulin secretion by glimepiride can help improve shifting of glucose from the blood into the cells of body tissues. Increased glucose shifting into the cells leads to lowered blood sugar numbers and improved regulation of blood sugars.
- Increased insulin release by glimepiride can sometimes be disproportional to the need. This can result in complete shifting of glucose from the blood into the cells of body tissues, episodes of severely low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
- Patients in hypoglycemia can have poor glucose supply to the brain, which is its major source of nutrition. So, poor nutrition supply to brain cells result in severe dizziness, lightheadedness, inability to focus, irritability, headache, and weakness.
- Avoid skipping meals while taking glimepiride. Observing compliance with timely nutrition intake and recommended calorie consumption can help prevent development of hypoglycemic episodes.
Hematological disturbances
- Patients taking glimepiride can sometimes present destruction to red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Intake of glimepiride can also lead to hematological disturbances, such as, low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) and low white blood cell count (leukopenia).
- Individuals with history of anemia must be watchful for worsening of their hematological status while taking glimepiride. Individuals taking glimepiride must report to the physician regarding any exacerbation of symptoms of anemia, such as, increasing shortness of breath & fatigue, worsening lightheadedness, and pale skin with cold extremities.
- Low platelet count and low white blood cell count lead to increased risk for bleeding episodes even on slightest injury and lowered immunity with increased risk of infections, respectively. Individuals taking glimepiride must report to the physician regarding any uncontrolled bleeding episodes and frequent infection occurrences, so that, alternative measures in place of glimepiride could be considered.
- Blood work could be ordered at timely intervals on individuals taking glimepiride. Observe compliance with any lab work ordered, which helps to see how glimepiride is affecting your blood cells and thus suggest any needed alternative measures.
