*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

How And When To Take Glimepiride

NHS medicines information on dosage for glimepiride, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

Doses of glimepiride can vary. Follow your doctor's instructions when taking this medicine.

Dosage and strength

Glimepiride comes as 1mg, 2mg, 3mg and 4mg tablets.

Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take. You may need to take 1 or 2 tablets to make up your daily dose.

The usual starting dose for adults is 1mg, taken once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually over a few weeks or months, up to a regular dose of 4mg once a day.

The maximum daily dose is 6mg.

Changes to your dose

Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels regularly. They may change your dose of glimepiride to keep your blood sugar under control.

How to take it

You'll usually take glimepiride once a day. Take this medicine with food.

Most people take it in the morning with their breakfast. If you do not eat breakfast, make sure you take it with your first meal of the day. Try to take it at the same time every day.

Swallow the tablets whole, with a drink of water. Do not chew them.

If you find it difficult to swallow tablets, use the score line in the middle of the tablet to break it in 2, then take both halves.

How long to take it for

Treatment for diabetes is usually for life.

Do not stop taking glimepiride without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your diabetes may get worse.

If you want to stop taking your medicine, speak to your doctor. They may be able to suggest an alternative treatment for your diabetes.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take your daily glimepiride, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicines.

If you take too much

The amount of glimepiride that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Taking more than your prescribed dose of glimepiride tablets can give you low blood sugar.

Early warning signs of low blood sugar include:

feeling hungry
trembling or shaking
sweating
feeling confused
having problems concentrating

If you think you have low blood sugar, have some food or drink that quickly gets sugar into your bloodstream such as sugar cubes or fruit juice.

This type of sugar will not last long in your blood. You may also need to eat a starchy carbohydrate, like a sandwich or a couple of biscuits.

Contact 111 for advice now if:

you take more than your prescribed dose of glimepiride

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.