Amaryl M Forte 2 mg (Glimepiride/Metformin)

Description

Introduction

Amaryl M Forte 2 mg is an oral medicine for managing type 2 diabetes. Each tablet contains glimepiride 2 mg and metformin hydrochloride 1000 mg in prolonged release form. The two ingredients lower blood glucose through different mechanisms. This combination is used when diet, exercise and treatment with glimepiride or metformin alone have not achieved adequate glucose control.

Blood glucose response and kidney function require review during treatment. A healthcare professional can assess whether this fixed combination is appropriate in light of other conditions and medicines.

What Is It?

Amaryl M Forte 2 mg is an uncoated, bilayered tablet containing two active ingredients. Glimepiride is a sulfonylurea, while metformin is a biguanide. The metformin hydrochloride component is formulated for prolonged release.

The 2 mg strength refers to glimepiride. Each tablet also contains 1000 mg of metformin hydrochloride. The product is intended for the specified type 2 diabetes treatment setting; its ingredients’ uses in other circumstances should not be assumed to apply to this combination.

How Does It Work?

Glimepiride stimulates insulin release from the pancreas. Insulin helps the body move glucose from the blood into cells. Metformin mainly reduces glucose production by the liver and improves the body’s response to insulin.

These actions can help lower elevated blood glucose. Because glimepiride promotes insulin release, the combination can also lower blood glucose too far. This is called hypoglycaemia and may be serious or prolonged.

Common Uses

Amaryl M Forte 2 mg is used to manage type 2 diabetes when diet, exercise and treatment with either glimepiride or metformin alone have not provided adequate glucose control. It is used alongside ongoing diabetes care, which may include food and activity measures, blood glucose checks and medical review.

It is not a treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis. Ask a healthcare professional for guidance about any use outside the stated indication.

Available Strengths

This family is available in 1 mg, 2 mg.

Key Features

• Contains glimepiride 2 mg and metformin hydrochloride 1000 mg per tablet.
• Combines a sulfonylurea and a biguanide in one oral tablet.
• Contains metformin hydrochloride in prolonged release form.
• Has an uncoated, bilayered tablet formulation.

Benefits

• The two ingredients act through different pathways to lower blood glucose.
• The fixed combination provides both prescribed ingredients in one tablet.
• It provides a treatment option when either ingredient alone has not achieved adequate glucose control.
• Its effect on blood glucose can be assessed through routine diabetes monitoring.

Possible Side Effects

• Hypoglycaemia may occur and can be prolonged. Signs can include sweating, shaking, hunger, dizziness, confusion and difficulty concentrating.
• Digestive effects can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, fullness and diarrhoea.
• A metallic or changed taste may occur.
• Glimepiride can cause weight gain and temporary visual changes.
• Long-term metformin treatment can reduce vitamin B12 levels.
• Uncommon but serious problems include lactic acidosis, allergic reactions, liver problems and changes in blood counts. Symptoms such as severe weakness, breathing difficulty, unusual drowsiness or significant abdominal pain need urgent medical assessment.

Precautions

• Kidney function should be assessed before and during treatment. Severe kidney impairment is a contraindication.
• Dehydration, severe infection, shock and conditions that reduce oxygen supply can increase the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis.
• Acute metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, and significant liver impairment are contraindications.
• A history of allergy to either ingredient, related sulfonylureas or sulfonamides, or another tablet ingredient requires review.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications for this product. A healthcare professional can advise on other treatment.

Additional Precautions

• Tell the healthcare team about this medicine before surgery or imaging that uses iodinated contrast. Treatment may need to be interrupted and kidney function checked before it resumes.
• Missed meals, reduced food intake, prolonged exercise and alcohol can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.
• Low blood glucose may impair concentration and reaction time, including when driving or operating machinery.
• Long-term metformin use may warrant vitamin B12 monitoring, particularly if symptoms of deficiency appear.
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency may increase the risk of haemolytic anaemia with glimepiride. Tell a healthcare professional if this condition is known.

Storage Instructions

• Follow the storage directions on the supplied packaging.
• Keep the tablets in their original packaging until needed.
• Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
• Ask a pharmacist about disposing of expired or unwanted tablets.

How to Take

• Follow the directions supplied with the prescription. A healthcare professional determines the appropriate dose and reviews treatment against glucose results and kidney function.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew it.
• The product information describes taking the tablet with a meal. Follow the prescribed directions for timing.
• Ask a healthcare professional what to do if a dose is missed. Do not take a double dose to make up for one.
• Seek prompt medical advice if more than the prescribed amount is taken.

Drug Interactions

• Other glucose-lowering medicines, including insulin, can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.
• Some medicines can change the glucose-lowering effect of glimepiride and may require closer monitoring.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, including ibuprofen, and some medicines for blood pressure or fluid retention need review alongside this combination.
• Alcohol may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia and serious metformin-related effects.
• Iodinated contrast used in some scans can affect kidney function, increasing the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis.
• Tell a healthcare professional about prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements before starting anything new.

Why Choose This Product?

• It contains two established glucose-lowering ingredients with different actions.
• It provides a fixed combination for the specified type 2 diabetes treatment setting.
• Its metformin component is formulated for prolonged release.
• Selection of this product depends on clinical assessment, monitoring and other medicines being used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does each tablet contain?

Each tablet contains glimepiride 2 mg and metformin hydrochloride 1000 mg in prolonged release form.

What does the 2 mg strength refer to?

It refers to glimepiride. The tablet also contains 1000 mg of metformin hydrochloride.

What is this combination used for?

It is used for type 2 diabetes when diet, exercise and either ingredient alone have not achieved adequate glucose control.

Is the metformin component prolonged release?

Yes. The tablet contains prolonged release metformin hydrochloride.

Can the tablet be crushed or chewed?

No. It should be swallowed whole.

Can it cause low blood glucose?

Yes. Glimepiride can cause hypoglycaemia, which may be serious or prolonged.

Why is kidney function monitored?

Reduced kidney function can increase the risk of metformin-related complications and affect whether treatment is appropriate.

Can it be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

No. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications for this product. Discuss alternative treatment with a healthcare professional.

What should happen before a contrast scan or surgery?

Tell the healthcare team about this medicine beforehand. They can advise whether it needs to be interrupted and when it can be resumed.

Related Products

• Amaryl M Forte 1 mg (Glimepiride/Metformin)
• Amaryl M Forte 2 mg (Glimepiride/Metformin)
• Bromocriptine 1.25 mg Australia
• Acarbose 50 mg Australia
• Sitagliptin 100 Mg Australia
• Repaglinide 0.5 mg Australia