About repaglinide
Short-acting insulin-releasing diabetes medicine
Used for
- Helps control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Used with diet and exercise; sometimes combined with metformin.
Usual adult dose
Usually 0.5 mg before each main meal if starting treatment; dose is adjusted to blood sugar control.
Common side effects
- Low blood sugar
- Weight gain
- Stomach pain or diarrhoea
- Headache
Important warnings
- Take shortly before meals; skip the dose if skipping a meal.
- Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Low blood sugar risk increases with missed meals, alcohol, or strenuous exercise.
- Use cautiously with liver problems; monitor blood sugar regularly.
Pregnancy
Not generally recommended during pregnancy; insulin is usually preferred.
Breastfeeding
Use is generally avoided because effects on a nursing infant are uncertain; insulin is usually preferred.
Interactions
- Gemfibrozil can dangerously increase repaglinide levels; avoid the combination.
- Clarithromycin, ciclosporin, and azole antifungals may increase its effects.
- Rifampicin and carbamazepine may reduce its blood-sugar-lowering effect.
- Other diabetes medicines and alcohol can increase low blood sugar risk.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.