What is Repaglinide (Prandin)?
Repaglinide is an oral hypoglycemic drug that belongs to a class of drugs called meglitinides. This oral medication lowers blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin. This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes drugs such as metformin to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. This medication is usually given to type 2 diabetic patients after a program involving exercise, diet and weight loss was not successful in controlling their blood glucose levels.
How to take this medication
You should not stop taking this medication without your doctor’s permission. Take this medication as it is prescribed by your doctor. That means you should not take smaller or larger doses of this medication than what is recommended. As you take this medication, you should check your blood glucose regularly. You can share your results with your doctor so that they can determine the right dosage for you. In case your blood sugar is too high or too low you should change your treatment plan.
Dosage
Your dosage will be based on your response to treatment and specific medical condition. Repaglinide can be taken orally 2 to 4 times every day. Make sure you use this medication within 15 minutes of taking your meal. You should not take a dose of this medication if you skipped a meal or your blood sugar level is too low. To get the most out of this medication, you should not skip a dose. In case you missed a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. If there are only a few hours remaining before your next dose, you should skip it and continue with your normal dose as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Repaglinide side effects
Although it is rare you may experience negative effects as a result of using this medication.
Common side effects include the following:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Runny nose
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
Repaglinide may also lead to serious side effects. In case you experience any of the following negative effects, you should call your doctor immediately.
Serious side effects include:
- Seizure
- Sore throat
- Red skin rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Confusion
- Weakness
Doctor’s Recommendation
Prandin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you’re taking other diabetes medications. If you notice signs of low blood sugar, like chills, dizziness, shaking, rapid heartbeat, or hunger, talk to your doctor. Get medical help right away if you experience serious side effects like sudden vision problems, eye pain or swelling, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, trouble speaking, weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty walking, or high fever.
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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.
