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Oral Diabetes Prescription Medications »
Insulin is a hormone produced by cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Insulin helps the body use blood glucose (a type of sugar) for energy. People with type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin and/or their bodies do not respond well to it, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Oral diabetes medications bring blood sugar levels into the normal range through a variety of ways.
Oral diabetes medications are only used to treat type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin for their treatment.
The earliest oral diabetes drugs were the sulfonylureas. These work by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insu...
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Do not use this medication if you are allergic to repaglinide, if you have type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). You should not use repaglinide together with gemfibrozil (Lopid) or NPH insulin (such as isophane insulin).
Before taking repaglinide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, or if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether repaglinide is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether repaglinide passes into breast milk or if it could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take repaglinide without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take repaglinide exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription.
Your dose needs may change if you are ill, if you have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Do not change your dose of repaglinide without first talking to your doctor.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Repaglinide is usually taken 2 to 4 times daily, within 30 minutes before eating a meal. Follow your doctor's instructions. If you skip a meal, do not take your dose of repaglinide. Wait until your next meal.
Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them. Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. Severe hypoglycemia may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked on a regular basis. You may also need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Do not miss any appointments.
Repaglinide is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
It is important to take repaglinide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store repaglinide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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