repaglinide

Repaglinide is used alone or with other medications to control high blood sugar along with a proper diet and exercise program. It is used in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. It works by stimulating the body to produce more insulin. Insulin is a natural substance that allows the body to properly use sugar from the diet.

Read the Patient Information leaflet if one is available from your pharmacist before you start using repaglinide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth within 30 minutes before each meal as directed by your doctor, usually 2-4 times daily depending on the number of meals. Do not take a dose of medication if you are skipping that meal or if your blood sugar is low.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

If you are changing from a different diabetes drug (such as chlorpropamide) to repaglinide, follow your doctor's directions carefully for stopping the old drug and starting this medication.

Use this medication regularly as directed by your doctor in order to get the most benefit from it. Carefully follow the medication treatment plan, meal plan, and exercise program your doctor has recommended.

Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Keep track of the results, and share them with your doctor. This is very important in order to determine the correct dose. Tell your doctor if your blood sugar measurements are too high or too low. Your treatment plan may need to be changed.

Weight gain, diarrhea, and joint pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Repaglinide can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) especially if you are taking other medicines for diabetes. Consuming large quantities of alcohol, not getting enough calories from food, or doing unusually heavy exercise may also lead to low blood sugar. Symptoms may include chills, cold sweat, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, fast heartbeat, weakness, headache, fainting, tingling of the hands or feet, or hunger. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, raise your blood sugar quickly by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, candy, or drinking a glass of fruit juice or non-diet soda. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal.

Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, and fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication(s).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking repaglinide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease.

You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.

Limit alcohol while taking this medication because it can increase the risk of developing low blood sugar.

During times of stress, such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery, it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your doctor because increased stress may require a change in your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar testing.

During pregnancy this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Pregnancy may cause or worsen diabetes. Discuss a plan with your doctor for managing your blood sugar while pregnant. Your doctor may change your diabetes treatment during your pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits of different treatments (such as diet, exercise, and medications including insulin).

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

A product that may interact with this drug is: NPH insulin.

Other medications can affect the removal of repaglinide from your body, which may affect how repaglinide works. Examples include clopidogrel, gemfibrozil, trimethoprim, azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, among others.

Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder to control. Examples include corticosteroids (such as prednisone), psychiatric medicines (such as olanzapine), fluoroquinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin), among others. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs.

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products) carefully. Some products may contain sugar or alcohol and may affect your blood sugar. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using these products safely.

Other medications can affect the results of urine tests for sugar or ketones. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: very fast heartbeat, vision changes, unexplained heavy sweating, agitation, fainting, seizures.

If you miss a dose, skip that dose. Take your next dose with your next meal. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Attend a diabetes education program to learn more about how to manage your diabetes with medications, diet, exercise, and regular medical exams. Learn the symptoms of high and low blood sugar and how to treat low blood sugar.

Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.