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.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Lithium*
Magnesium*
|
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
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
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.