Repaglinide
Repaglinide (re PAG li nide) is a generic medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes in adults. Doctors prescribe it along with diet and exercise. Repaglinide belongs to a group of drugs called meglitinides.
Repaglinide (re PAG li nide) is a generic medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes in adults. Doctors prescribe it along with diet and exercise. Repaglinide belongs to a group of drugs called meglitinides.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 1mg
- • 90 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on October 30, 2023
Repaglinide (re PAG li nide) is a generic medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes in adults. Doctors prescribe it along with diet and exercise. Repaglinide belongs to a group of drugs called meglitinides.
FAQ
Common questions about repaglinide
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about repaglinide.
What brand names are available for repaglinide?
Repaglinide is only available as a generic drug. Repaglinide oral tablet is the generic version of the brand-name drug, Prandin. But Prandin is no longer on the market in the United States.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.
To find out more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does repaglinide work? And how long does it take to start working?
How repaglinide works (mechanism of action) is by stimulating the pancreas to make and release insulin. Insulin is a hormone your cells need to convert sugar into energy. People with type 2 diabetes don’t have enough insulin. This causes high blood sugar levels because their bodies can’t use the sugar effectively. Helping the pancreas make and release more insulin can bring down blood sugar levels.
Repaglinide oral tablet should start working within 30 minutes of taking it. This is why you should take repaglinide oral tablet about 30 minutes before a meal.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
Side effects of repaglinide
Repaglinide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of repaglinide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about repaglinide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for repaglinide listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with repaglinide are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about repaglinide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for repaglinide listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Repaglinide oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- diarrhea
- headache
- joint pain
- mild low blood sugar
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for repaglinide” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of repaglinide are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about repaglinide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for repaglinide listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, repaglinide’s serious side effects include:
- elevated liver enzymes, which can be a sign of liver problems
- low blood cell counts, including white blood cells and platelets
- serious problems with the heart or blood vessels
- severe low blood sugar, which can be life threatening
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for repaglinide” section.
Uses
Uses of repaglinide
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as repaglinide for certain conditions. Approved uses for repaglinide are described below.
Use for lowering blood sugar
Doctors may prescribe repaglinide oral tablet, along with diet and exercise, for treating type 2 diabetes. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With type 2 diabetes, your body has difficulty making enough insulin or responding to insulin. Insulin is a hormone your cells need to convert sugar into energy. When you don’t have enough of it or your body doesn’t use it the way it should, your blood sugar levels will go too high.
High blood sugar levels over a long period of time damage organs and tissues. These include the kidneys, nerves, eyes, and heart. Taking medications, diet, and exercise to lower blood sugar levels is the best way to prevent this damage.
Doctors may not prescribe repaglinide oral tablet in certain situations, such as for people who have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (a life threatening complication of diabetes).
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for repaglinide
Below, you’ll find information about repaglinide’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of repaglinide
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take repaglinide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for repaglinide” section below.
Warnings for repaglinide
Some people should not take repaglinide, and others should take it cautiously.
Repaglinide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether repaglinide is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for repaglinide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Repaglinide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to repaglinide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe repaglinide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- severe skin rashes that may blister and peel*
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing difficulties
If you have an allergic reaction to repaglinide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
* This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Overdose of repaglinide
You should not take more repaglinide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much repaglinide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and repaglinide
Information about repaglinide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Repaglinide and pregnancy
It’s not known whether repaglinide should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Repaglinide and breastfeeding
Repaglinide should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with repaglinide.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know whether you have questions about repaglinide or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How should I take repaglinide oral tablet?
- What should I do if I miss a meal?
- How often do I need to check my blood sugar levels?
- Do any of my other medications interact with repaglinide oral tablet?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Repaglinide tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/872b81a0-8c13-4848-85a8-50f12d8ffa26/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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