Uses
What is nateglinide used for?
Nateglinide is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Nateglinide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does nateglinide work (mechanism of action)?
Nateglinide works by increasing your body’s insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose (sugar) as a source of energy.
How is nateglinide supplied (dosage forms)?
Nateglinide is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 60 mg oral tablets
- 120 mg oral tablets
How should I store nateglinide?
Nateglinide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of nateglinide?
The most common side effects of nateglinide are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Low blood sugar (see below)
- Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, fever, aches and pains
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
There may be other side effects of nateglinide that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of nateglinide?
While less common, the most serious side effects of nateglinide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Nateglinide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking nateglinide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Nateglinide can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not use nateglinide and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use nateglinide?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take nateglinide.
- Nateglinide
- Starlix
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific nateglinide products they stock.
Type 1 Diabetes. Nateglinide is not used to treat people with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Nateglinide is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
What should I know about nateglinide before using it?
Do not take nateglinide unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share nateglinide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep nateglinide out of the reach of children.
Nateglinide can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how nateglinide affects you.
Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.
Take nateglinide up to 30 minutes before each meal (up to 3 meals per day). You should skip your dose of nateglinide if you skip a meal.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using nateglinide?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if nateglinide is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Kidney Problems. You may be at higher risk of certain side effects if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. Your healthcare provider may do tests to determine how your kidneys are working. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you have kidney problems.
Liver Problems. You may be at higher risk of certain side effects if your liver is not working as well as they should be. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your liver. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you have liver problems.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Nateglinide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using/taking nateglinide, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how nateglinide could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take nateglinide while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if nateglinide passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop nateglinide.
Interactions
Does nateglinide interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between nateglinide and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect nateglinide, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of nateglinide. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does nateglinide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking nateglinide.
- Any other medicine to treat diabetes, especially insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels
Many other medicines can increase your blood sugar and can interfere with the effect of nateglinide. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while taking nateglinide. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely during these times.
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of nateglinide. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Some other medicines may reduce the signs and symptoms you will have if you experience low blood sugar while taking nateglinide. Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with nateglinide. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much nateglinide?
If you or someone else has used too much nateglinide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of nateglinide?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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