Repaglinide
Description
Repaglinide is an anti-diabetic medicine used in the treatment of type 2 Diabetes mellitus. A condition in which your blood sugar levels are high because your body doesn't properly use insulin. This medicine helps in controlling blood sugar levels and prevents complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney damage, stroke (reduced blood supply to your brain), and heart attack. Repaglinide helps in the production of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar levels in your blood), which reduces the excess blood sugar levels in your body.
Repaglinide shows side effects like indigestion and upset stomach. This medicine can occasionally cause low blood sugar levels, the signs being sweating, dizziness, and shivering. To avoid these side effects, eat your meals on time and carry a sugar source (sweets or fruit juice) for immediate relief. Avoid using this medicine if you are allergic to it. Alcohol should be avoided while using this medicine as it can lower your blood sugar levels too.
Repaglinide is recommended to be taken with food to avoid any stomach discomfort. Take Repaglinide as per the prescription. For the ease of remembering, take this tablet around the same time every day, preferably at the time you take breakfast. Do not stop taking this medicine unless advised by your doctor, even if your sugar levels are normal.
Repaglinide should not be taken if you have Type I insulin-dependent Diabetes (a condition where your body is unable to produce insulin, hence you have to take insulin injections), diabetic ketoacidosis (high amounts of acid in your blood), or severe kidney or liver problems. Inform your doctor about any history of heart problems before taking this medication. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Repaglinide
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Headache
- Increased hunger
- Bladder pain
- Lower back or side pain
- Bloody or cloudy urine
Uses of Repaglinide
What is it prescribed for?
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Repaglinide can be observed within 15 to 60 minutes of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Repaglinide lasts for an average duration of four to six hours.
- Safe with alcohol?You should avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol while you are on treatment with Repaglinide. Consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of side effects such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Repaglinide.
- Usage in pregnancy?Repaglinide is usually not advised during pregnancy because it might have significant side effects on your foetus. However, if you are pregnant your doctor may prescribe alternative medicine with the same medicinal effect.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Avoid taking Repaglinide if you are breastfeeding. There is no sufficient information available to know whether this medicine can pass into your breast milk. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative with the same medicinal effect based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
Do not take Repaglinide if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness or breathing difficulty etc.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes characterized by the overproduction of ketones (blood acids) in your body. Do not take Repaglinide if you have diabetic ketoacidosis as it can progress to lactic acidosis (increased level of lactic acid in your blood) which is a major health concern.
Type I Diabetes mellitus
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. Repaglinide may not be effective in controlling your blood sugar level if you have type 1 Diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent Diabetes mellitus. Insulin injections are required to treat this condition.
Coadministration of Gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozil is a medicine used to lower increased fat levels in your blood. Repaglinide is not recommended for use if you are taking gemfibrozil due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Repaglinide is usually not advised during pregnancy because it might have significant side effects on your foetus. However, if you are pregnant your doctor may prescribe alternative medicine with the same medicinal effect.
Breast-feeding
Avoid taking Repaglinide if you are breastfeeding. There is no sufficient information available to know whether this medicine can pass into your breast milk. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative with the same medicinal effect based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in children
Repaglinide is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition with decreased blood sugar levels. If you are prone to having low blood sugar level episodes, Repaglinide should be taken with caution. Inform your doctor about this condition. They will suggest tests to monitor your blood sugar level regularly.
Driving or operating machines
Repaglinide may occasionally reduce your blood sugar levels, which may impair your concentration and your ability to perform activities like driving vehicles and operating machines.
Missed Dose
If you missed a dose of Repaglinide, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose of Repaglinide.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
You should avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol while you are on treatment with Repaglinide. Consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of side effects such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting.
Interaction with Medicine
Clopidogrel
Aspirin
Cyclosporine
Gemfibrozil
Gatifloxacin
Benazepril
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
If you have problems with the heart and blood vessels, use Repaglinide with caution as it can increase the risk of heart failure.
Renal Dysfunction
Repaglinide should be taken with caution if you have any kidney troubles. This medicine is excreted through urine and taking this medicine while you have pre-existing kidney problems can worsen the condition of your kidney.
Liver impairment
Repaglinide is absorbed in the liver and excreted through urine. If you have any liver problems, use this medicine with extreme caution as it may lead to accumulation and toxicity.
Food interactions
Avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice during treatment with Repaglinide. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of this medicine and lead to severe side effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Repaglinide as instructed by your doctor.
Your doctor may change the dose over time based on the therapeutic response and your clinical condition.
You should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
Always carry a sugar candy with you to counteract unexpected lowering of blood sugar levels.
Maintain a strict exercise and diet regimen for better results.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Repaglinide works by increasing the release of insulin from your pancreas (a part of your digestive system that produces insulin and other vital enzymes). Thus it lowers your blood sugar levels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Meglitinides
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - REPAGLINIDE tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Prandin 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Repaglinide: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 17 Jan 2022
Disclaimer
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