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Nateglinide tablets

What is nateglinide?

NATEGLINIDE (Starlix®) is a medicine used to lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is sometimes used with other medicines for diabetes. Generic nateglinide tablets are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I use nateglinide?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • diabetic ketoacidosis

  • liver disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to nateglinide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take nateglinide tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Do not chew the tablets. Nateglinide is usually taken three times a day with a meal. Each dose should be taken 1—30 minutes before each meal. If you skip a meal, do not take that dose of nateglinide. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not take nateglinide without a meal. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose before a meal, skip that dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose with the next scheduled meal as directed. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with nateglinide?

Certain medications may interfere with the way your body maintains its blood sugar. Such medications may include:

  • beta-blockers such as propranolol or nadolol

  • chromium, or multivitamins with trace elements

  • corticosteroids such as prednisone or cortisone

  • diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide

  • estrogens

  • ethanol

  • isoniazid

  • antidepressant drugs such as phenelzine

  • niacin

  • birth control pills

  • chlorpromazine and other drugs similar to chlorpromazine

  • herbal supplements such as black cohosh, ephedra, garlic, and horse chestnut

  • phenytoin

  • probenecid

  • rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine

  • salicylates such as aspirin

  • sulfonamides

  • drugs used for weight loss, or decongestants such as pseudoephedrine

  • thyroid hormones

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking nateglinide?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to monitor blood or urine sugar and urine ketones regularly. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your blood sugar is high, you may need a change of dose of nateglinide. Do not skip meals. If you are exercising much more than usual you may need extra snacks to avoid side effects caused by low blood sugar. Alcohol can increase possible side effects of nateglinide. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. If you have mild symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something containing sugar at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional. It is wise to check your blood sugar to confirm that it is low. It is important to recognize your own symptoms of low blood sugar so that you can treat them quickly. Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking nateglinide.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

What side effects may I notice from using nateglinide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • dizziness

  • fast heart rate

  • low blood sugar

  • skin rash or itchy skin

  • sweating

  • tremor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • nausea/vomiting

  • upset stomach

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Avoid excessive exposure to heat above 40 degrees C (104 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Publication Source: U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert
Date Last Modified: 9/18/2006