Nateglinide — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient

Nateglinide is an active pharmaceutical ingredient found in 2 FDA-approved drug products. Forms: TABLET. Routes: ORAL.

This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Nateglinide (2 brand names, 1 dosage form, 1 route)

Available dosage forms: TABLET.

Routes of administration: ORAL.

Brand Names

  • NATEGLINIDE
  • STARLIX

Indications and Usage

Nateglinide tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Limitations of Use: Nateglinide tablets should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Dosage and Administration

The recommended dose of nateglinide tablets is 120 mg orally three times daily before meals. The recommended dose of nateglinide tablets is 60 mg orally three times daily before meals in patients who are near glycemic goal when treatment is initiated. Instruct patients to take nateglinide tablets 1 to 30 minutes before meals. In patients who skip meals, instruct patients to skip the scheduled dose of nateglinide tablets to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Contraindications

Nateglinide is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to nateglinide tablets or its inactive ingredients.

Adverse Reactions

The following serious adverse reaction is also described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

Drug Interactions

Table 2 includes a list of drugs with clinically important drug interactions when concomitantly administered or withdrawn with nateglinide and instructions for managing or preventing them. Table 2: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Nateglinide Drugs That May Increase the Blood-Glucose-Lowering Effect of Nateglinide and Susceptibility to Hypoglycemia Drugs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), salicylates, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, non-selective beta-adrenergic-blocking agents, anabolic hormones (e.g. methandrostenolone), guanethidine, gymnema sylvestre, glucomannan, thioctic acid, and inhibitors of CYP2C9 (e.g. amiodarone, fluconazole, voriconazole, sulfinpyrazone), or in patients known to be poor metabolizers of CYP2C9 substrates, alcohol. Intervention: Dose reductions and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when nateglinide is coadministered with these drugs. Drugs and Herbals That May Reduce the Blood-Glucose-Lowering Effect of Nateglinide and Increase Susceptibility to Hyperglycemia Drugs: Thiazides, corticosteroids, thyroid products, sympathomimetics, somatropin, somatostatin analogues (e.g. lanreotide, octreotide), and CYP inducers (e.g. rifampin, phenytoin and St John’s Wort). Intervention: Dose increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when nateglinide is coadministered with these drugs. Drugs That May Blunt Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Drugs: beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine Intervention: Increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when nateglinide is coadministered with these drugs.

Mechanism of Action

Nateglinide lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas. This action is dependent upon functioning beta-cells in the pancreatic islets. Nateglinide interacts with the ATP-sensitive potassium (K+ATP) channel on pancreatic beta-cells. The subsequent depolarization of the beta cell opens the calcium channel, producing calcium influx and insulin secretion. The extent of insulin release is glucose dependent and diminishes at low glucose levels. Nateglinide is highly tissue selective with low affinity for heart and skeletal muscle.

Overdosage

There have been no instances of overdose with nateglinide in clinical trials. However, an overdose may result in an exaggerated glucose-lowering effect with the development of hypoglycemic symptoms. Hypoglycemic symptoms without loss of consciousness or neurological findings should be treated with oral glucose and adjustments in dosage and/or meal patterns. Severe hypoglycemic reactions with coma, seizure, or other neurological symptoms should be treated with intravenous glucose. As nateglinide is highly protein bound, dialysis is not an efficient means of removing it from the blood.

⚠ Caution
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication.