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Repaglinide, Oral

re-PAG-lih-nide

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KEY POINTS

  • This medicine is taken by mouth to treat type 2 diabetes and control blood sugar levels. Take it exactly as directed.
  • It is important to follow the diet and exercise program prescribed for you.
  • Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
  • This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
  • Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidiabetic

Generic and brand names: repaglinide, oral; Prandin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat type 2 diabetes and control blood sugar levels. Usually you will take this medicine while you follow a diet and exercise program prescribed by your healthcare provider. This medicine may be taken alone or along with another diabetes medicine by mouth.

This medicine does not treat type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

  • An allergic reaction to any medicine
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Adrenal or pituitary disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease

Tell your healthcare provider if you get sick or injured, or if you are scheduled to have surgery.

Do not take this medicine if you are also taking gemfibrozil (Lopid) or NPH (intermediate acting) insulin. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you are taking.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you will need to use insulin to control your blood sugar during pregnancy. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less medicine or take it more often than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

The dosage that is best for you will be determined after you have taken some of this medicine for a week or longer. Your dosage may be adjusted several times based on the results of blood tests. Keep all your appointments for these tests.

This medicine is usually taken 15 to 30 minutes before meals.

If you skip a meal, also skip the dose that you would have taken before that meal. If you are not sure of your dosage, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.

If you eat an extra meal, you should add a dose for that meal. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Be sure to take any other diabetes medicine that your healthcare provider prescribes for you exactly as directed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember (with a meal) unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, fainting, seizures, coma.

What should I watch out for?

Follow the diet and exercise program prescribed for you. Test your blood sugar on the schedule your provider recommends and keep track of it. See your provider regularly for an A1c test to check the average of your blood sugar over 2 to 3 months. This average is different from your day to day blood sugar. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Talk to your healthcare provider before you take other medicines, including nonprescription products. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen if you miss or delay meals, drink too much alcohol, take too much medicine, or exercise more than usual. Symptoms of low blood sugar include shaking, anxiety, cold sweats, irritability, fast heartbeat, feeling faint, strong hunger, vision problems, headache, nausea, slurred speech, confusion, unusual mood changes, tingling in the lips or tongue, and weakness. Treat the condition quickly by eating or drinking something with sugar in it such as candy, juice, or nondiet soda. Taking glucose tablets or gels (available in drug stores) is another quick way to treat hypoglycemia.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Frequent symptoms of low blood sugar (shaking, anxiety, cold sweats, irritability, fast heartbeat, feeling faint, strong hunger, vision problems, headache, nausea, slurred speech, confusion, unusual mood changes, tingling in the lips or tongue, weakness); yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Other: Chest infection, dizziness, diarrhea, cough, headache, sinus infection, nausea, runny nose, muscle or joint pain, back pain, vomiting, constipation, mild rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

  • ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik)
  • Allergy, cold, or cough medicines that contain phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sudafed PE) or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
  • Androgen hormones such as methyltestosterone (Android, Testred), oxandrolone (Oxandrin), and testosterone (Androderm, AndroGel, Axiron, Testim)
  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as azilsartan (Edarbi), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan)
  • Antiarrhythmic medicines (to treat irregular heartbeat) such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), and dronedarone (Multaq)
  • Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), isoniazid, linezolid (Zyvox), nafcillin, rifampin (Rifadin), and telithromycin (Ketek)
  • Antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone, and sertraline (Zoloft)
  • Antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat, Oravig), posaconazole (Noxafil), and voriconazole (Vfend)
  • Antipsychotic medicines such as aripiprazole (Abilify), asenapine (Saphris), chlorpromazine, clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo), fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), iloperidone (Fanapt), olanzapine (Zyprexa), paliperidone (Invega), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), trifluoperazine, and ziprasidone (Geodon)
  • Antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), eslicarbazepine (Aptiom), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and primidone (Mysoline)
  • Antiviral medicines such as ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir (Viekira) and simeprevir (Olysio)
  • Aprepitant (Emend)
  • Aspirin and other salicylates
  • Beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), nebivolol (Bystolic), pindolol, and sotalol (Betapace, Sorine)
  • Bosentan (Tracleer)
  • Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac), felodipine, isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan)
  • Cancer medicines such as abiraterone (Zytiga), crizotinib (Xalkori), dabrafenib (Tafinlar), dasatinib (Sprycel), enzalutamide (Xtandi), erlotinib (Tarceva), imatinib (Gleevec), lapatinib (Tykerb), nilotinib (Tasigna), pazopanib (Votrient), sorafenib (Nexavar), sunitinib (Sutent), vandetanib (Caprelsa), and vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
  • Cholesterol-lowering medicines such as cholestyramine (Prevalite), colesevelam (Welchol), colestipol (Colestid), fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, TriCor, Triglide), and gemfibrozil (Lopid)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Conivaptan (Vaprisol)
  • Corticosteroids such as betamethasone, cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, hydrocortisone (A-Hydrocort, Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), prednisolone (Omnipred, Orapred, Prelone), prednisone (Prednisone Intensol), and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
  • Danazol
  • Deferasirox (Exjade, Jadenu)
  • Diuretics (water pills) such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone, furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and torsemide (Demadex)
  • HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), stavudine (Zerit), and tipranavir (Aptivus)
  • Hormonal birth control implants, IUDs, patches, pills, shots, and vaginal rings, and hormones such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin), estradiol (Climara, Estrace, Estraderm, Vivelle), medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera, Provera), and norethindrone (Aygestin, Micronor)
  • MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  • Mifepristone (Korlym, Mifeprex)
  • Natural remedies such as alfalfa, aloe, bilberry, bitter melon, burdock, chromium, damiana, fenugreek, garcinia, garlic, ginger, ginseng, gotu kola, gymnema, St. John's wort, and stinging nettle
  • Niacin
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cambia, Voltaren, Zipsor), diflunisal, etodolac, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac, meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)
  • Octreotide (Sandostatin)
  • Other diabetes medicines such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase), insulin, linagliptin (Tradjenta), metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Riomet), nateglinide (Starlix), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide/metformin (PrandiMet), rosiglitazone (Avandia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), sitagliptin (Januvia), and tolbutamide
  • Paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva)
  • Pasireotide (Signifor)
  • Probenecid
  • Procarbazine (Matulane)
  • Propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran)
  • Psyllium (Take psyllium 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
  • Quinine
  • Somatropin (Genotropin, Humatrope, Nutropin, Serostim)
  • Stimulants such as armodafinil (Nuvigil) and modafinil (Provigil)
  • Sulfa antibiotics such as sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and trimethoprim (Primsol)
  • Thyroid medicines such as levothyroxine (Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), liotrix (Thyrolar), and thyroid USP (Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid)

Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Many medicines may change how well this medicine controls your blood sugar. Be sure to tell the healthcare provider who prescribed this medicine about any other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products. Also, tell any other healthcare providers who treat you that you are taking this medicine for diabetes.

Many nonprescription products contain sugar, alcohol, or other ingredients that may interfere with this medicine or increase your blood sugar. Check product labels for warnings for diabetics or ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.


This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2016.4 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2016-09-22
Last reviewed: 2016-04-30
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2016 RelayHealth, a division of McKesson Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
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