Repaglinide is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
It is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Repaglinide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it at least 30 minutes before main meals.
It may be necessary for you to take this medicine for a long time, such as for a few years. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe.
If you miss a dose, do not take the missed dose in between meals. Take only at your next scheduled dose and meal. DO NOT double a dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- raised acid level in your blood (diabetic ketoacidosis)
- severe liver disease
- diabetes type 1 (a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin)
as Repaglinide may not be suitable for you.
DO NOT take this medicine with medicines used to treat high levels of cholesterol or lipids, such as gemfibrozil.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
- severe illness or infection
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For as long as you are taking Repaglinide, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
If you are taking this medicine with other types of oral anti-diabetic medicines, you may have been warned about hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). This medicine itself does not usually cause hypoglycaemia, but it may increase the hypoglycaemic effect of other oral anti-diabetic medicines.
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, problems speaking – these signs are your body’s way of warning you that your blood sugar level is dangerously low.
It is important to recognise these symptoms and get relief for hypoglycaemia quickly, as the hypoglycaemia could worsen and you might faint.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Always carry some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you. Take a tablet at the first sign of hypoglycaemia. If you don’t have glucose tablets, you can take a drink or food containing sugar (e.g. fruit juice, soda, candy) at the first sign of hypoglycaemia. If your symptoms do not improve, get medical help.
Repaglinide may cause drowsiness, dizziness due to low blood sugar level, if affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: very low blood sugar, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and back pain.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin
- blood-thinning medicine e.g. clopidogrel
- other medicine to treat diabetes e.g. metformin
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- antibiotics e.g. trimethoprim, clarithromycin
- medicine to treat TB, lung infection known as tuberculosis e.g. rifampicin
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. enalapril, captopril
- water pills e.g. thiazides, medicines for water retention
- medicine for pain and inflammation called NSAIDs e.g. ibuprofen
- birth control pills
- medicines for mood disorders and anxiety e.g. barbiturates, carbamazepine
- asthma medicines e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline
- medicines for hormone disorders e.g. thyroid hormones, danazol
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Repaglinide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
It is important for you to maintain a healthy diet and weight in order to help keep your diabetes under control.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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