Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for taking Glimepiride as follows:
- Glimepiride is mainly excreted by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease cannot excrete Glimepiride normally and so, this medication can stay in circulation for longer time, resulting in toxicity and severe side effects. In individuals with poor kidney function, glimepiride could be avoided for a safer alternative or be used cautiously with close watch for labs on kidney function.
- Glimepiride helps for blood sugar regulation by increasing the secretion of insulin from pancreas. This medication will help lower blood sugars only in people whose pancreas is producing insulin naturally. So, use of glimepiride does not help in individuals having type I diabetes, with total failure of pancreas to secrete any insulin at all.
- Patients taking glimepiride can sometimes present destruction to red blood cells (hemolysis), 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 hemolytic anemia can be at increased risk for presentation with red cell destruction with glimepiride use. So, in such individuals, glimepiride is best avoided for a safer alternative. Also, glimepiride is cautiously administered in individuals with history of low blood cell count. Periodical blood work with evaluation of blood cell count could be ordered at timely intervals on individuals taking glimepiride.
