Repaglinide is a drug to lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes sufferers. In order for treatment to be more effective, the use of repaglinide must be balanced with adopting a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Repaglinide works by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin is a hormone that plays an important role in sugar metabolism and sugar absorption in the blood. By increasing insulin levels, blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes sufferers can be more controlled. 
Repaglinide can be combined with other antidiabetic drugs, such as metformin. Keep in mind, repaglinide can only help control blood sugar levels, not cure type 2 diabetes.
Repaglinide trademark : Dexanorm
What is Repaglinide
| class | Prescription drug |
| Category | Antidiabetic |
| Benefit | Treating type 2 diabetes |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Repaglinide for pregnant and lactating women |
Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, but there have been no controlled studies in pregnant women.
Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Repaglinide is not known to be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Precautions Before Taking Repaglinide
There are several things that you should pay attention to before using repaglinide, including:
- Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have. Repaglinide should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Repaglinide is not intended for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis .
- This drug should not be taken with gemfibrozil . Tell your doctor if you are taking certain supplements, medications or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you have or currently have kidney disease, infectious disease, or liver disease .
- Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages while on treatment with repaglinide, because it can increase the risk of low blood sugar levels.
- Repaglinide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery after taking repaglinide.
- See your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction , overdose, or serious side effects after using repaglinide.
Dosage and Rules for Using Repaglinide
The dose of repaglinide will be adjusted according to the patient's condition. The following is the repaglinide dosage for treating type 2 diabetes in adults.
As monotherapy or in combination with other drugs, the initial dose is 0.5 mg. If the patient has previously taken other anti-diabetic drugs, the initial dose is 1 mg. This drug is consumed 2–4 times a day, before meals.
Follow-up doses can be readjusted within 1–2 weeks after the initial treatment. The maximum dose is 16 mg per day.
How to Take Repaglinide Correctly
Always follow the doctor 's instructions and read the information on the drug packaging before taking repaglinide.
Repaglinide is taken 15–30 minutes before meals. Do not take ripaglinide if you are skipping a meal. Swallow the repaglinide tablets whole with the help of a glass of water. Do not crush, split or chew the medication as this can affect its effectiveness.
Take repaglinide regularly. Do not start or stop taking medication or increase or decrease the dose of medication without consulting your doctor first.
If you forget to take repaglinide tablets, consume them as soon as you remember if the distance to the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.
During treatment with repaglinide, you will be asked to have your blood sugar level tested regularly to monitor your condition and body's response to treatment.
Repaglinide cannot cure type 2 diabetes. For treatment to be more effective, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, not consuming alcoholic beverages, adjusting your diet according to your needs, and exercising regularly.
Store repaglinide in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and at room temperature. Keep this drug out of reach of children.
Repaglinide Interactions with Other Drugs
Some of the interaction effects that can occur if repaglinide is used together with other drugs are:
- Increased effect of the drug repaglinide which can be fatal when used with gemfibrozil
- Increased metabolism of repaglinide when used with rifampicin , barbiturates or carbamazepine
- Increased drug effect of repaglinide when used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), salicylates, sulfonamides , phenylbutazone, oral anticoagulants , or hydantoin
- Increased blood levels of repaglinide when used with ketoconazole , fluconazole, itraconazole , or erythromycin
Repaglinide Side Effects and Dangers
One of the common side effects after taking repaglinide is hypoglycemia . Apart from that, there are several other side effects that can arise after consuming repaglinide, including:
- Weight gain
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Headache
- back pain
- Nasal congestion
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't get better right away or they get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you experience an allergic drug reaction or the following serious side effects:
- Impaired liver function, which can be marked by symptoms such as yellow skin, dark urine, confusion, or weakness
- Pancreatitis , which can be characterized by symptoms such as pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back, nausea or vomiting