Prandin

Generic name: Repaglinide

Repaglinide tablets

What are repaglinide tablets?

REPAGLINIDE (Prandin®) helps to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment is combined with a balanced diet and suitable exercise. Repaglinide increases the amount of insulin released from the pancreas, which helps to control blood sugar. Generic repaglinide tablets are not available at this time.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• severe infection or injury
• an unusual or allergic reaction to repaglinide or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take repaglinide tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. The dose should be taken no earlier than 30 minutes before every meal. If a meal is added, take a tablet before that meal. Do not take more often than directed or without a meal.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose before a meal, skip that dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose with the next scheduled meal as directed. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with repaglinide?

• barbiturates like phenobarbital or primidone
• carbamazepine
• erythromycin
• ketoconazole
• miconazole
• montelukast
• other medicines for diabetes
• rifampin

Many medications may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar, these include:

• alcohol containing beverages
• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
• chromium
• female hormones, such as estrogens, progestins, or contraceptive pills
• isoniazid
• male hormones or anabolic steroids
• medications to suppress appetite or for weight loss
• medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
• niacin
• pentamidine
• phenytoin
• some herbal dietary supplements
• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone
• thyroid hormones
• water pills (diuretics)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking repaglinide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

.hypoglycemia-contact your health care professional if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, which may include: anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, hunger, pale skin, nausea, fatigue, sweating, headache, palpitations, numbness of the mouth, tingling in the fingers, tremors, muscle weakness, blurred vision, cold sensations, uncontrolled yawning, irritability, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and loss of consciousness.

• breathing difficulties, severe skin reactions or excessive phlegm, which may indicate that you are having an allergic reaction to the drug
• dark yellow or brown urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin, indicating that the drug is affecting your liver
• fever, chills, sore throat; which means the drug may be affecting your immune system
• unusual bleeding or bruising; which occurs when the drug is affecting your blood clotting system
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• nausea

What should I watch for while taking repaglinide?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to monitor your blood sugar. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your blood sugar is high, you may need a change of dose of repaglinide.

Do not skip meals. If you are exercising much more than usual you may need extra snacks to avoid side effects caused by low blood sugar. Alcohol can increase possible side effects of repaglinide. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. If you have mild symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something containing sugar at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional. It is wise to check your blood sugar to confirm that it is low. It is important to recognize your own symptoms of low blood sugar so that you can treat them quickly. Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking repaglinide.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.