Drug Notes

Nateglinide (By mouth)

Nateglinide (na-te-GLYE-nide)

Used to treat type 2 diabetes. This medicine is used together with proper diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar.

Brand Name(s):

Starlix

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• 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.
• This medicine is only one part of a complete program for controlling diabetes. It is important that you always eat a healthy diet, watch your weight, and get regular exercise.

If a dose is missed:

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

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 diabetes medicines that you take by mouth (such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide, Diabeta®, Glucotrol®, or Orinase®), certain blood pressure medicines (such as hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], propranolol, timolol, Inderal®, or Timoptic®), or an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®).
• Tell your doctor if you are also using St. John's wort, amiodarone (Cordarone®), fluconazole (Diflucan®), guanethidine (Ismelin®), miconazole (Monistat®), oxandrolone (Oxandrin®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), somatropin (Nutropin®), pain or arthritis medicine, sometimes called “NSAIDs” (such as such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®), a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), or thyroid medicines (such as levothyroxine, Levothroid®, Levoxyl®, Synthroid®, or Unithroid®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, an adrenal disorder, a pituitary gland disorder, or nerve problems.
• Some things that can lead to low blood sugar are exercising more than normal or waiting too long to eat. Tell your doctor about any sudden change in your medical condition.
• This medicine may not work as well if you have surgery, get hurt, or get sick. If you have severe vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, call your doctor for instructions.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You will also need to check your blood sugar on a regular basis at home.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Increased hunger or thirst.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

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

• Back or joint pain.
• Diarrhea, nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Rash or itching skin.
• Stuffy or runny nose, cough, sneezing, or sore throat.

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017