*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.

Taking Glimepiride With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on possible interactions with glimepiride and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines affect the way glimepiride works. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of glimepiride. They may also recommend checking your blood sugar levels more often.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before starting to take glimepiride:

steroid tablets such as prednisolone
medicines used to treat heart problems, high blood pressure or high cholesterol
medicines to treat bacterial or fungal infections such as clarithromycin, co-trimoxazole, miconazole or fluconazole
rifampicin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis (TB)
other diabetes medicines

You may need to adjust your dose of glimepiride after starting contraceptive pills. In rare cases, contraceptive pills can increase blood sugar levels.

Taking glimepiride with painkillers

It's safe to take paracetamol with glimepiride.

But check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with glimepiride. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or high-dose aspirin can sometimes lower your blood sugar level.

Mixing glimepiride with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with glimepiride. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

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.
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