Repaglinide tablets

What is this medicine?

REPAGLINIDE (re PAG lin ide) helps to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to control blood sugar. Treatment is combined with diet and exercise.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Swallow it with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine before meals. It should be taken no earlier than 30 minutes before meals. If a meal is skipped, skip the dose for that meal. Do not take more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician 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 side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

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

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• chest pain

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• signs and symptoms of low blood sugar such as feeling anxious, confusion, dizziness, increased hunger, unusually weak or tired, sweating, shakiness, cold, irritable, headache, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, loss of consciousness

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• vomiting

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

• back pain

• diarrhea

• headache

• joint pain

• nausea

• runny or stuffy nose

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• gemfibrozil

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• barbiturates like phenobarbital or primidone

• carbamazepine

• certain medicines for fungal or yeast infections such as itraconazole, ketoconazole

• clopidogrel

• clarithromycin

• cyclosporine

• deferasirox

• erythromycin

• isophane insulin (NPH insulin)

• montelukast

• other medicines for diabetes

• rifampin

• simvastatin

• trimethoprim

Many medications may cause changes in blood sugar, these include:

• alcohol containing beverages

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• chromium

• diuretics

• female hormones, such as estrogens or progestins, birth control pills

• fenofibrate

• gemfibrozil

• isoniazid

• lanreotide

• male hormones or anabolic steroids

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

• medicines for weight loss

• medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough

• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• niacin

• nicotine

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• octreotide

• pasireotide

• pentamidine

• phenytoin

• probenecid

• quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin

• some herbal dietary supplements

• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone

• sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim

• thyroid hormones

Some medications can hide the warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely if you are taking one of these medications. These include:

• beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)

• clonidine

• guanethidine

• reserpine

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.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

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

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

• diabetic ketoacidosis

• 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

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

A test called the HbA1C (A1C) will be monitored. This is a simple blood test. It measures your blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months. You will receive this test every 3 to 6 months.

Learn how to check your blood sugar. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.

Always carry a quick-source of sugar with you in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Examples include hard sugar candy or glucose tablets. Make sure others 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.

Tell your doctor or health care professional if you have high blood sugar. You might need to change the dose of your medicine. If you are sick or exercising more than usual, you might need to change the dose of your medicine.

Do not skip meals. Ask your doctor or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. Many nonprescription cough and cold products contain sugar or alcohol. These can affect blood sugar.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.