What is Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Repaglinide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin.
Repaglinide is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with repaglinide if needed.
Repaglinide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to repaglinide, if you have type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). You should not use repaglinide together with gemfibrozil (Lopid) or NPH insulin (such as isophane insulin).
Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.
If your blood sugar gets too high (hyperglycemia), you may feel very thirsty or hungry. You may also urinate more than usual. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of hyperglycemia.
Repaglinide is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
It is important to take repaglinide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Prandin Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

seizure (convulsions)
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; or
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash

Less serious side effects may include:

runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, cold or flu symptoms
diarrhea, nausea

Prandin Interactions

What other drugs affect Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
St. John’s wort
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek)
an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton)
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
HIV/AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), and others
rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin); or
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), and others

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking repaglinide with other drugs that raise blood sugar:

isoniazid
diuretics (water pills)
steroids (prednisone and others)
phenothiazines (Compazine and others)
thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others)
birth control pills and other hormones
seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and
diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking repaglinide with other drugs that lower blood sugar, such as:

probenecid (Benemid)
a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin)
some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Gantanol, Gantrisin, Septra, SMX-TMP, and others)
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); or
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with repaglinide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking repaglinide. Alcohol can lower your blood sugar.

Prandin Dosage

How should I take Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Take repaglinide exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription.
Your dose needs may change if you are ill, if you have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Do not change your dose of repaglinide without first talking to your doctor.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Repaglinide is usually taken 2 to 4 times daily, within 30 minutes before eating a meal. Follow your doctor’s instructions. If you skip a meal, do not take your dose of repaglinide. Wait until your next meal.
Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked on a regular basis. You may also need other blood tests at your doctor’s office. Do not miss any appointments.
Repaglinide is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
It is important to take repaglinide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store repaglinide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Prandin (Repaglinide)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but only if you are getting ready to eat a meal. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Prandin Repaglinide

Prandin (Repaglinide)