Nateglinide (By Mouth)

Nateglinide (na-te-GLYE-nide)

Lowers blood sugar in people who have Type 2 diabetes and are not using insulin.

Brand Name(s):

Starlix
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 nateglinide, or if you have Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes or a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine within 30 minutes before a meal. If you skip a meal, then you should also skip your dose of nateglinide.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature in a closed container, 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.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, Inderal®, Lopressor®, Toprol®), an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), diuretics or "water pills" (such as furosemide, Lasix®, Norvasc®), corticosteroids (such as cortisone, prednisone), thyroid medicine (such as Levothyroid®, Synthroid®), cold or allergy medicines, pain or arthritis medicine (such as Advil®, Aleve®, aspirin, Dolobid®, Feldene®, Indocin®, Motrin®, Orudis®, Relafen®, Voltaren®), or other diabetes medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have adrenal or pituitary gland problems, nerve problems, gout, or liver disease.
• This medicine may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Some symptoms of low blood sugar are sweating, nervousness, shaking, faintness, fast heartbeat, tiredness, weakness, headache, and/or trouble concentrating. Make sure you know what to do if you have low blood sugar.
• If you get sick, injured, or have surgery, this medicine may not work as well as usual. You may need other medicine in addition to nateglinide. Call your doctor for instructions.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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

• Diarrhea, nausea
• Stuffy or runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat

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