Repaglinide (Prandin) Side Effects, Dosage, Interaction Information

What is Repaglinide (Prandin)?

It is a novel insulin secretagogue which act by lowering of post prandial blood glucose as well as fasting blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by acting on the beta cells of pancreas. Repaglinide  is for the treatment of type II diabetes. It is supplied by Novo Nordisk. Repaglinide (Prandin) is a drug prescribed to lower blood sugar levels (glucose) in persons with diabetes.

Indication/Contraindication for use of Repaglinide (Prandin)

• Type 2 diabdes mellitus.
• Hypersensitivity, diabetic ketoacidosis, with or without coma, type 1 diabetes.

Side Effects of Repaglinide (Prandin)

Mild or moderate hypoglycaemia, URTIs, nausea, vomiting, althralgia, back pain, and headache.

Dosage and Prescribing Information for Repaglinide (Prandin)

Repaglinide may be administered varying from immediately preceding the meal to as long as 30 minutes before the meal Initial dose : For patients not previously treated with OHA or whose HbA, is < 8%, the starting dose should be 0.5mg. For patients previously treated with blood glucoselowering drugs or whose HbA, is >8%, the starting dose is 1 or 2 mg with each meal preprandially. Maintenance dose : Depending on response the dose may be titrated from 0.25mg upto 4 mg preprandially until satisfactory response is achieved. At least one week should elapase to assess response after each dose adjustment. The recommended dose range is 0.5 mg to 4mg taken preceding each meal. Repaglinide may be dosed preprandially 2, 3, 4, times a day in response to changes in the patient’s meal pattern. The maximum recommended daily dose is 16mg. In case of hepat c insufficiency, an initial 0.25mg dose is recommended.

Drug Interactions of Repaglinide (Prandin)

Ketoconazole, miconazole and erythromycin: metabolism of repaglinide inhibited. Troglitazone, rifampicin, barbiturates, and carbamazepine increase metabolism of repaglinide.

Precautions while prescribing Repaglinide (Prandin)

• Hypoglycaemia is more likely to occur in patients with hepatic insufficiency, when caloric intake is deficient, after severe or prolonged exercise, when alcohol is ingested, or when more than one glucoselowering drug is used.
• At such times, discontinue repaglinide and administer insulin.
• Hypoglycaemia : Proper patient selection, dosage, and instructions to the patléhts are important.
• Loss of control of blood glucose may occur when a patient stablized on any diabetic regimen is exposed to stress such as fever, trauma, infection, or srugery.