Repaglinide (By Mouth)

Repaglinide (re-pa-GLI-nide)

Treats diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes).

Brand Name(s):

Prandin
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to repaglinide.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use and how often. You may be told to use the medicine 2, 3, or 4 times each day.
• Use this medicine before you eat a meal. You may use the medicine right before you eat, 15 minutes before a meal, or up to 30 minutes before your meal.
• If you skip a meal, then skip the dose of this medicine for that meal. If you eat an extra meal, then use an extra dose of this medicine before that meal.

If a dose is missed:

• If you forget to use the medicine before your meal, skip that dose. Do not try to make it up. Then use your next dose as planned, before your next meal.
• You should not use two doses at the same time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the tablets at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Tell your doctor if you are using ketoconazole, miconazole, erythromycin, troglitazone (Rezulin®), rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, butalbital, secobarbital, or primidone.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using water pills such as Lasix® or Dyazide®, calcium channel blockers such as Procardia® or Cardizem®, beta blocker medicines such as Inderal® or Lopressor®, cough, cold, or hay fever medicines, estrogen, birth control pills, steroids such as prednisone, thyroid medicine, Dilantin®, isoniazid, or nicotinic acid (Niacor® or Nicobid®). These medicines may raise your blood sugar.
• Aspirin, sulfa drugs, chloramphenicol, warfarin (Coumadin®), antidepressants called MAO inhibitors (Marplan®, Parnate®, Nardil®), or pain or arthritis medicine such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others can work with repaglinide to make your blood sugar too low. Tell your doctor if you use any of these medicines.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Talk with your doctor before using repaglinide if you have liver disease, heart disease, or an adrenal or pituitary gland disorder.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.
• To control your diabetes, follow your doctors orders for diet, exercise, and testing your blood or urine for sugar.
• This medicine will lower your blood sugar and can cause a low blood sugar reaction, especially if you miss a meal, exercise for a longtime, drink alcohol, or use other medicines that lower your blood sugar.
• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, or a headache that won't go away.
• Make sure you know what to do if your blood sugar gets too low. Teach your friends, co-workers, and family members what they can to do help you if you have low blood sugar.
• You may need to keep a supply of glucose tablets or gel with you to treat low blood sugar or eat something that has sugar in it.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Chest pain

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Runny or stuffy nose

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.