Drug Name

Prandin (Repaglinide)

Drug Uses

Prandin is used to treat Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, either alone or in combination with other anti-diabetes medications, along with a diet as well as exercise program. Controlling high blood sugar helps halt heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, circulation problems, as well as blindness.

How Taken

This drug is used by mouth, generally about 15 minutes before each meal. Follow all instructions exactly as well as consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding dosage as well as meal pattern advice, especially incase your eating habits vary. Over time, this drug may not work as well as it did at the beginning of take. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Prandin is an oral medication for lowering blood sugar (glucose) in diabetics. It is in a class of drugs for treating diabetes type 2 called meglitinides as well as is chemically unlike other anti-diabetic medication. Approximately 90% of patients with diabetes possess type 2 or non-insulin helpless diabetes mellitus. (Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adulthood, as well as is associated with obesity as well as a powerful family history of diabetes.) Glucose intolerance in diabetes type II is caused by reduced insulin secretion from the pancreas after meals as well as resistance of the body's cells to insulin's effect which is to stimulate the cells to remove glucose from the blood. This leads to high levels of blood glucose. Similar Sulfonylureas, e.g. glyburide (Diabeta; Glynase; Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), tolbutamide (Orinase), as well as tolazamide (Tolinase), prandin stimulates cells in the pancreas to produce insulin. Glyburide may be more potent than prandin at increasing insulin release in persons with lowor high blood glucose levels, whereas prandin may be more potent in persons with moderate blood glucose levels. Prandin is unusual in that it has a rapid onset of action as well as a abridged duration of action. When used just prior to meals, it promotes the release of insulin that normally occurs with meals as well as is accountable for preventing blood glucose levels from becoming high. It has been shown to lower hemoglobin A1c levels by 1.6-1.9%. (Hemoglobin A1c is a blood test which measures the effectiveness of a drug in controlling high blood glucose levels. The lower the hemoglobin A1c, the better the control).

Missed Dose

Since this drug is generally given only before meals, consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding advice on a missed dose.

Storage

Store at room temperature below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light as well as moisture.

Warnings/Precautions

Tell your doctor your health examination history, including: kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal or pituitary gland problems, any allergies. Unusual stresses such as fever, humorless infection, trauma or surgery may result in loss of blood sugar control. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Limit alcohol intake, as it may aggravate drug side effects. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Insulin therapy may be essential during pregnancy. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly since side effects may be aggravated as well as more difficult to recognize.

Likely Side Effects

Diarrhea or constipation, nausea as well as joint pains may occur. Incase these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Unlikely but report promptly any chest pain. This medication can cause abridged blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The symptoms include: shaking, chilly sweats, rapid heartbeat, weakness, headache, fainting. Incase these symptoms occur, eat a quick source of sugar such as glucose liquid, orange juice, honey, or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the reaction. To help halt hypoglycemia, eat meals on a normal schedule (do not skip meals). In the unlikely event you possess an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate health examination attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. It is recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand diabetes as well as all substantial aspects of its treatment including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medication as well as getting normal eye, foot as well as health examination exams. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Keep all health examination appointments. Laboratory and/or health examination tests (e.g., liver as well as kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total blood counts) will be performed to monitor for side effects as well as response to therapy. Regularly check your blood or urine for sugar, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.