MedlinePlus Drug Information: Nateglinide Oral

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Nateglinide Oral

(nuh tay' gli nide)

Brand name(s): Starlix

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?	What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know?

Why is this medication prescribed?

Nateglinide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes (formerly called 'adult-onset') in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Nateglinide belongs to a class of drugs called meglitinides. Nateglinide helps your body regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. It decreases the amount of glucose by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin.

How should this medicine be used?

Nateglinide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times daily. Take nateglinide any time from 30 minutes before a meal to just before the meal. If you skip a meal, you need to skip the dose of nateglinide. If you add a meal, add a dose of nateglinide. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose, depending on your response to nateglinide. Monitor your blood glucose closely. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nateglinide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed by the package label or prescribed by your doctor.

Nateglinide controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take nateglinide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nateglinide without talking with your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking nateglinide,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nateglinide or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin); allergy or cold medications; aspirin and nonsteroidal antiflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal); chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin); chlorpromazine (Thorazine); corticosteroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron), methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone); diuretics ('water pills'); epinephrine; estrogens; fluphenazine (Prolixin); isoniazid (Rifamate); medications that contain alcohol or sugar; mesoridazine (Serentil); niacin; oral contraceptives (birth control pills); perphenazine (Trilafon); phenelzine (Nardil); probenecid (Benemid); prochlorperazine (Compazine); promazine (Sparine); promethazine (Phenergan); terbutaline (Brethine, Bricanyl); thioridazine (Mellaril); thyroid medication; tranylcypromine (Parnate); trifluoperazine (Stelazine); triflupromazine (Vesprin); trimeprazine (Temaril); and vitamins or herbal products.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or pituitary disease, adrenal insufficiency, diabetic ketoacidosis, neuropathy (disease of the nervous system), or if you have been told you have type 1 diabetes mellitus.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking nateglinide, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking nateglinide.
tell your doctor if you have fever, infection, injury, or illness with vomiting or diarrhea. These may affect your blood sugar level.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. Calorie reduction, weight loss, and exercise will help control your diabetes and will also make nateglinide work better. It is important to eat a healthful diet. Alcohol increases blood sugar; ask your doctor for information on how much is safe to drink.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Before you start taking nateglinide, ask your doctor what to do if you forget to take a dose. Write these directions down so you can refer to them later. As a general rule, if you have just begun to eat a meal, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if you have finished eating, or if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have them.

If you have any of the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or fruit juice, and call your doctor immediately. The symptoms of low blood sugar include:

shakiness
dizziness
fast pulse or heartbeat
sweating
confusion
blurred vision
headache
numbness or tingling of the mouth
weakness
fatigue
pale color
sudden hunger

If you have any of the symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), call your doctor immediately. The symptoms of high blood sugar include:

thirst
dry mouth
tiredness
flushing
dry skin
frequent urination
increased appetite or feelings of hunger
trouble breathing

Although side effects from nateglinide are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache
nasal congestion
runny nose
dizziness
joint aches
back pain
constipation
cough
flu-like symptoms

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

seizures
loss of consciousness

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) should be checked regularly to determine your response to nateglinide.

Keep yourself and your clothes clean. Wash cuts, scrapes, and other wounds quickly, and do not let them get infected. Wear medical alert identification (a bracelet or tag) that says you have type 2 diabetes.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer