Experience | News | Products | Other
Nateglinide
Post your experience
|
About nateglinide
| Type of medicine | Antidiabetic |
| Used for | Diabetes mellitus |
| Also called | Starlix® |
| Available as | Tablets |
Nateglinide can be used to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus, alongside another antidiabetic medicine called metformin.
Insulin is made naturally in the pancreas. It regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. If the body does not make enough insulin to meet its needs, or does not properly use the insulin it makes, this results in the condition called diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes).
Nateglinide works by speeding up the release of insulin from the pancreas.
Before taking nateglinide
Before taking nateglinide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you suffer from liver problems.
- If you are an insulin dependent diabetic.
- If you have had an operation, or about to have one.
- If you have an infection.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to take nateglinide
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
- Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Nateglinide should be taken within 1 to 30 minutes before each main meal.
- Try to remember to take your dose at the right time. If you do forget to take a dose just carry on as normal at the next mealtime. Never take two doses at the same time to make up. If in doubt speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Getting the most from your treatment
- If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
- It is important that you follow any dietary instructions that you have been given by your doctor or nurse.
- Check regularly that your diabetes is being well controlled.
- Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Alcohol may produce low blood sugar and affects the control of your condition.
- Keep your regular appointment with your doctor or nurse. Your doctor may want to adjust the dose of nateglinide that you are taking.
- If you miss a meal, exercise more than usual or cannot eat because of illness, hypoglycaemia can occur (low blood sugar). The symptoms to look out for include anxiousness, sweating, confusion, headache, feeling sick, palpitations (being aware of your heartbeat), shaking, unusual tiredness, or weakness. Eat something containing sugar such as glucose tablets, biscuits or a sugary drink (not diet) and follow this up with a starchy snack, such as a sandwich to raise your blood sugar. Let your doctor or nurse know about this as soon as you are able.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor or nurse first.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Can nateglinide cause problems?
Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Hypoglycaemia (anxiousness, sweating, confusion, headache, feeling sick, being aware of your heartbeat, shaking, unusual tiredness, or weakness) | Eat something containing sugar followed up by a starchy snack. If you are driving, wait at least fifteen minutes before continuing on your journey. Driving is not permitted when you are unable to recognise the warning signs of a hypoglycaemic attack |
| Skin rashes, itching | Let your doctor know if this is severe or troublesome |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store nateglinide
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
|
References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Starlix®, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Approved August 2004, accessed March 2009.
- British National Formulary; 57th Edition (March 2009) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
Click the image to find out more.
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
Experience | News | Products | Other
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicinePatient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)
Recent related news items
Latest Health News
Related Products (^ top of page)
NHS Approved Pharmacy - for online prescriptions

Medical equipment
Books
Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window


