Compare Amaryl vs. Prandin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Amaryl (glimepiride)

Prescription only

Prandin (repaglinide)

Prescription only
Lowers blood sugar.

Amaryl (glimepiride) is an effective medicine for lowering blood sugar, but it can cause weight gain.

Lowers blood sugar.

Prandin (repaglinide) works quickly to lower blood sugar, especially during mealtimes. However, it can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are not consistent with your diet and exercise schedule.

Upsides
  • Needs to be taken only once a day.
  • Effectively lowers blood sugar and A1c levels by 1-2%. (A1c is a test that measures your average blood sugars over the past 3 months).
  • Amaryl (glimepiride) is an oral medicine so it might be a good alternative for those who don't like injections.
  • Protects your organs and blood vessels by preventing the harmful effects of high blood sugar levels.
  • Available as a generic form and is relatively cheap.
  • Quickly and effectively lowers blood sugar during meal times.
  • Less likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) than Starlix (nateglinide).
  • Good first-choice if you cannot tolerate metformin or add-on therapy if your blood sugars are not controlled on metformin alone.
Downsides
  • Amaryl (glimepiride) might cause weight gain.
  • Has a higher risk than other diabetes medicine for causing blood sugar levels to be too low.
  • Not preferred for people age 65 or older because they are at higher risk of experiencing side effects such as low blood sugar.
  • Might lose its effectiveness over time.
  • Needs to be taken 30 minutes before a meal for it to be most effective.
  • May cause some weight gain.
  • May cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
  • Can frequently interfere with how other medicines work.
  • Not a good choice if you have poor kidney function, liver problems, or younger than 18 years old.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$17.00
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Lowest price
$16.81
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Reviews
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Side effects
5possible side effects
  • Headache
    8%
  • Accidental injury
    6%
  • Flu syndrome
    5%
  • Nausea
    5%
  • Dizziness
    5%
See more detailed side effects
20possible side effects
  • Low blood sugar
    31%
  • Headache
    11%
  • Sinusitis
    6%
  • Joint pain
    6%
  • Nausea
    5%
  • Diarrhea
    5%
  • Back pain
    5%
  • Swelling in arms and legs
    5%
  • Heart failure
    4%
  • Rhinitis
    3%
  • Constipation
    3%
  • Vomiting
    3%
  • Tingling, numbness, or burning sensation on the skin
    3%
  • Chest pain
    3%
  • Weight gain
    3%
  • Inflammation of the airways
    2%
  • Indigestion
    2%
  • Urinary tract infection
    2%
  • Tooth disorder
    2%
  • Allergy
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Low blood sugar
    • Skipping meals or having inconsistent meal times
    • Drinking alcohol
    • Using other blood sugar-lowering medicine
    • People age 60 or older
    • Those with kidney and/or liver problems
  • Severe allergic reaction
    • History of allergy to sulfa-containing medicine
  • Breakdown of red blood cells
    • People with G6PD deficiency
  • Serious heart problems
  • Kidney and liver disease
    • Those with kidney and/or liver disease
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    • Alcoholism
    • Changes in meal pattern
    • Changes in exercise
    • Insulin
    • Other antidiabetic medications
    • Elderly
    • Bad liver or kidney function
  • Heart damage
    • use with NPH-insulin
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Amaryl (glimepiride)
Learn more about Prandin (repaglinide)