What are Meglitinides Drugs?
Meglitinides (Glinides) are drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. By boosting the amount of insulin made by your pancreas, these drugs help lower and keep your blood sugar within a normal range. Because they work quickly and do not remain in the body for long, medications need to be taken immediately before or after you eat meals.
If you experience weight gain or low blood sugar when taking a sulfonylurea, your doctor or health care provider may prescribe meglitinides medications as an alternative medication.
A healthy diet and regular exercise play a key role in managing type 2 diabetes. It is also crucial to take your diabetes medication correctly and on schedule to prevent possible health complications. Your doctor may want to consider your lifestyle when deciding what type of diabetes medication to prescribe.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive, you should discuss medication with your doctor since many drugs, including over-the-counter supplements and vitamins, could harm your baby.
Throughout your treatment you should book regular check-ups and keep track of test results so your doctor can monitor your condition. This is especially important since diabetes symptoms can change or worsen over time, and without careful monitoring you could put your health at risk.
Meglitinides Drugs List
- Starlix (nateglinide)
- Prandin (repaglinide)
- Prandimet (a combination of repaglinide and metformin)
These medications prevent your blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after you eat.
Glinides Side Effects
All drugs have some side effects. Usually the symptoms are mild or go away after your body adjusts to the medication. However, you should tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- Joint aches
- Hives (rash)
- Cold symptoms (coughing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat)
If your symptoms do not improve after a while, contact your doctor. You may need a different dosage or even a different medication.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek emergency help immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Swelling (of your throat, lips, face or tongue)
Doctor’s Recommendation
In general, it is better to optimize glucose control through metformin, GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, diet, and exercise. Meglitinides do not offer the same level of benefits as GLP-1RA as they are not able to slow down the process of beta cell exhaustion, and this class of medications is far more risky for hypoglycemic episodes than other classes of glucose-lowering medications.
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
