Starlix (nateglinide) is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medicine helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas.Starlix is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes.Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with Starlix if needed.
1. What isStarlix?
Starlix (nateglinide) isanoral diabetesmedicine thathelpscontrol bloodsugarlevels.Thismedicine
helpsyourbodyrespondbettertoinsulinproducedbyyourpancreas.Starlixisusedtogetherwith
dietandexercise totreattype 2 diabetes.Otherdiabetesmedicinesare sometimesusedin
combinationwithStarlix if needed.
Importantinformation
You shouldnotuse Starlix if youhave type 1 diabetes,orif youare ina state of diabeticketoacidosis
(call yourdoctor for treatmentwithinsulin).Takecare notto letyourbloodsugar gettoo low.Low
bloodsugar(hypoglycemia) canoccur if youskipa meal,exercise toolong,drinkalcohol,orare
understress.Symptomsincludeheadache,hunger,weakness,sweating,tremors,irritability, or
trouble concentrating.Carryhardcandy or glucose tabletswithyouincase youhave low blood
sugar. Othersugarsourcesinclude orange juice andmilk.Be sure yourfamilyandclose friendsknow
howto helpyouinan emergency.
Before takingthismedicine
You shouldnotuse Starlix if youare allergictonateglinide,orif youhave:
type 1 diabetes
if you are in a state of diabeticketoacidosis(callyourdoctorfortreatmentwithinsulin).
To make sure Starlix issafe for you,tell yourdoctorif you have:
liverdisease
It isnot knownwhetherStarlix will harmanunbornbaby.Tell yourdoctorif youare pregnantor
planto become pregnantwhile usingthismedicine.
Nateglinide canpassintobreastmilkandmay harm a nursingbaby.Youshouldnot breast-feed
while usingStarlix.
How shouldItake Starlix?
2. Take Starlix exactlyasprescribedbyyourdoctor.Follow all directionsonyourprescriptionlabel.Do
not take thismedicine inlargerorsmalleramountsorforlongerthanrecommended.
Starlix isusuallytaken3timesdaily,within30minutesbeforeeatingameal.Follow yourdoctor’s
instructions.If youskipameal,donot take your dose of Starlix.Waituntil yournextmeal.
Your bloodsugarwill needtobe checkedoften,andyoumayneed otherbloodtestsat yourdoctor’s
office.
Low bloodsugar(hypoglycemia) canhappentoeveryonewhohasdiabetes.Symptomsinclude
headache,hunger,sweating,confusion,irritability,dizziness,orfeelingshaky.Alwayskeepasource
of sugarwithyou in case youhave lowbloodsugar.Sugar sourcesinclude fruitjuice,hardcandy,
crackers,raisins,andnon-dietsoda.Be sure yourfamilyandclose friendsknow how tohelpyouin
an emergency.
If you have severe hypoglycemiaandcannoteator drink,use a glucagoninjection.Yourdoctorcan
prescribe aglucagonemergencyinjectionkitandtell youhow touse it.
Checkyour bloodsugarcarefullyduringtimesof stress,travel,illness,surgeryormedical emergency,
vigorousexercise,orif youdrinkalcohol orskipmeals.These thingscanaffectyourglucose levels
and yourdose needsmayalsochange.Do not change yourdose of Starlix oryour dosingschedule
withoutyourdoctor’sadvice.
Starlix isonlypartof a treatmentprogramthat may alsoinclude diet, exercise,weightcontrol,blood
sugar testing,andspecial medicalcare.Follow yourdoctor’sinstructionsveryclosely.
Store at room temperature awayfrommoisture andheat.
Major Side Effects
If any of the followingside effectsoccurwhile takingnateglinide,checkwithyourdoctor
immediately:
Lesscommon:
Convulsions(seizures)
unconsciousness
Severity:Moderate
3. If any of the followingside effectsoccurwhile takingnateglinide,checkwithyourdoctoror nurse as
soonas possible:
Lesscommon:
Low bloodsugar,includinganxiousfeeling,behaviorchange similartobeingdrunk,blurredvision,
coldsweats,confusion,cool pale skin,difficultyinthinking,drowsiness,excessive hunger,fast
heartbeat,headache,nausea,nervousness,nightmares,restlesssleep,shakiness,slurredspeech,or
unusual tirednessorweakness
Incidence notknown-occurredduringclinical practice
Hivesor welts
itching
rednessof skin
skinrash
Minor Side Effects
Some nateglinide sideeffectsmaynotneedanymedical attention.Asyourbodygetsusedtothe
medicine theseside effectsmaydisappear.Yourhealthcare professional maybe able tohelpyou
preventorreduce these side effects,butdocheckwiththemif anyof the followingside effects
continue,orif youare concernedaboutthem:
More common:
Cough
runnyor stuffynose
sore throat
Lesscommon:
Abdominal orstomachpain
back pain
chills