Generic name: nateglinide (oral) (na ta GLYE nide)
Brand name: Starlix
Dosage forms: oral tablet (120 mg; 60 mg)
Drug class: Meglitinides
Nateglinide is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. nateglinide is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with nateglinide if needed.
Nateglinide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use nateglinide if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use nateglinide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease; or
- gout.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using nateglinide if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
Nateglinide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take nateglinide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Nateglinide is usually taken 3 times daily, within 1 to 30 minutes before a meal. If you skip a meal, do not take your dose of nateglinide. Wait until your next meal.
You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).
Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.
Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.
Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.
Nateglinide is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take your dose as soon as you can, but only if you are getting ready to eat a meal. If you skip a meal, skip the missed dose and wait until your next meal. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking nateglinide?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Nateglinide side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- seizure (convulsions); or
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
- runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, cold or flu symptoms;
- diarrhea;
- back pain;
- dizziness; or
- joint pain or stiffness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Nateglinide dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
Initial dose: 60 to 120 mg orally 3 times a day before meals
Maintenance dose: 60 to 120 mg orally 3 times a day before meals
Comments:
-For patients who are near HbA1c goal when therapy is initiated, initial dose should be 60 mg orally 3 times.
-Patients should take this drug 1 to 30 minutes before a meal; if a meal is skipped, the dose scheduled to be given with that meal should be skipped to avoid hypoglycemia.
-This drug should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What other drugs will affect nateglinide?
Nateglinide may not work as well when you use other medicines at the same time. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all medicines you start or stop using.