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Nateglinide Coupon - Nateglinide 60mg tablet

nateglinide

Generic Starlix
Used for Diabetes Type 2
Used for Diabetes Type 2

Nateglinide is an add-on medication to diet and exercise to control blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. This medication comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth. It must be taken three times a day, which might be inconvenient for some people.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 3, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Nateglinide?

What is Nateglinide used for?

  • Type 2 diabetes

How Nateglinide works

Nateglinide belongs to the meglitinide class of medications. It works by making your pancreas release more insulin into your body. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use sugar for energy and store any extra sugar for later use. This keeps your blood sugar from getting too high.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsStarlix (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassMeglitinide
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$137.18(save 81.16%)
GoodRx discount
$25.85
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What are the side effects of Nateglinide?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Upper respiratory tract infection (11%)
  • Back pain (4%)
  • Flu symptoms (4%)
  • Dizziness (4%)
  • Joint problems (3%)
  • Diarrhea (3%)
  • Accidental trauma (3%)
  • Bronchitis (3%)

Other Side Effects

  • Coughing
  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Low blood sugar
  • Weight gain

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severely low blood sugar: anxiety, sweating, shaking, confusion, dizziness, weakness, fast heartbeat, feeling hungry, seizures

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Convulsions (seizures)

unconsciousness

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Low blood sugar, including anxious feeling, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool pale skin, difficulty in thinking, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known-occurred during clinical practice

Hives or welts

itching

redness of skin

skin rash

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Cough

runny or stuffy nose

sore throat

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain

back pain

chills

dizziness

pain in joints or muscles

sneezing

swelling in joints

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Nateglinide

thumbs-up

Pros

Helps release insulin into the body within 20 minutes of taking

Lowers A1C levels by around 0.75%

Good option if you can't take metformin because of side effects or poor kidney function

Lower-cost generic available

thumbs-down

Cons

Need to take 1 to 30 minutes before each meal

Must take 3 times a day, which can be inconvenient

Might be more likely to cause weight gain than other diabetes medications

Not for people with Type 1 diabetes

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Nateglinide

pharmacist

  • It's important to take nateglinide 1 to 30 minutes before meals. If you skip a meal, skip your dose. Don't take two doses at the same time for any reason. Taking nateglinide without eating a meal or taking two doses at the same time can lead to low blood sugar.

    • Keep a consistent diet and exercise schedule to avoid low blood sugar while you're taking nateglinide. Having a healthy diet and exercise plan will also help you get the most out of this medication.

      • Sometimes, nateglinide can cause your blood sugar to get too low. Symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, nervous, anxious, confused, sleepy, weak, or very hungry and having a fast heartbeat, sweating, or body chills. If you experience these symptoms, test your blood sugar right away.

        • If your blood sugar ever becomes too low (between 50 mg/dL and 70 mg/dL), it's important that you know how to get your sugars back up quickly. Eat 15 grams of fast-acting sugar to bring your blood sugar back above 70 mg/dL. Some examples of fast-acting sugar include: 4 glucose (sugar) tablets, 3 to 4 pieces of hard candy, one-half cup of fruit juice, or one-half can of regular soda. Then, wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar. If it's still low, repeat these steps and call 911.

          • Don't drive if your blood sugar gets low. Since you might feel dizzy, shaky, and confused, there might be a greater chance of getting into an accident.

            • Discuss the risks and benefits of taking nateglinide if you become pregnant. There isn't enough information to know if the medication is safe to take during pregnancy.

              • Because of the risk of low blood sugar in nursing babies, nateglinide isn't recommended if you're breastfeeding. Talk with your provider about safer alternatives.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Nateglinide

                If I skip a meal, do I still need to take nateglinide?
                If you skip a meal, you'll need to skip that dose of nateglinide. This medication causes your pancreas to release insulin within 20 minutes after you take it. If you're not eating something after taking your dose, you don't need the insulin to lower your blood sugars. In fact, taking your nateglinide even if you haven't eaten puts you at risk of having blood sugar that's too low, which can be dangerous.
                How long does nateglinide work?
                Nateglinide raises the insulin levels in your body for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Since you typically need to take nateglinide right before meals, having more insulin in your body during that time helps manage your blood sugar levels from your meal.
                Can nateglinide cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
                Nateglinide can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar is more likely to happen if you use nateglinide with another diabetes medication, if you delay or miss a meal or snack, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or can't eat because of nausea or vomiting. Check out the Pharmacist Tips section about ways to manage low blood sugar.
                Can I take nateglinide with metformin?
                Yes. If you have Type 2 diabetes, there's a good chance that you're taking metformin since it's a first-choice medication for lowering your A1C (a measure of blood sugar). If you need additional blood sugar control, your provider might add nateglinide to your treatment plan. There are some people who can't take metformin because they have kidney problems; in this case, your provider might recommend that you take nateglinide by itself. Speak with your provider about a treatment plan that works best for you.
                Why can't I take nateglinide if I have Type 1 diabetes?
                Nateglinide works by making your pancreas release more insulin. But, people with Type 1 diabetes aren't able to make enough insulin because their body (immune system) attacks their own pancreas. For this reason, nateglinide won't work well for people with Type 1 diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, speak with your provider about your treatment options.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Nateglinide?

                Nateglinide can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

                • Risk factors: Changes in meal pattern | Drinking alcohol | Changes in how much exercise you do | Taking other medications that lower blood sugar | Poor liver or kidney function

                  Nateglinide can cause low blood sugar, which can be life-threatening. It's important to eat a meal before taking your dose to avoid low blood sugar. Some signs of low blood sugar include dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Check your blood sugar and call your provider right away if you have any of these signs. Make sure to take a few glucose tablets, drink some juice or soda, or eat a couple hard candies to bring your blood sugar up quickly. Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about the risk of having low blood sugar and how to recognize and treat it.

                  dosage

                  Nateglinide dosage forms

                  The average cost for 90 tablets of 60mg of Nateglinide is $25.85 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 81.16% off the average retail price of $137.18.
                  tablet
                  Tablet
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  60mg90 tablets$25.85$0.29
                  120mg90 tablets$31.24$0.35

                  Typical dosing for Nateglinide

                  The typical dose is 120 mg by mouth three times a day before meals.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Nateglinide and other drugs

                  Nateglinide may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Nateglinide. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  drug-cost

                  How much does Nateglinide cost?

                  To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                  Nateglinide (generic)
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                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Nateglinide?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nateglinide. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Nateglinide
                  Used for:

                  • Type 2 diabetes

                  $25.85 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Glyburide
                  Used for:

                  • Type 2 diabetes

                  $23.93 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Repaglinide
                  Used for:
                  $20.38 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  images

                  Nateglinide images

                  White Round Rdy And 328 - Nateglinide 60mg Tablet
                  This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "328" And "Rdy".White Round Rdy And 328 - Nateglinide 60mg Tablet
                  Pink Round P 984 - Nateglinide 60mg Tablet
                  This medicine is Pink, Round Tablet Imprinted With "P 984".Pink Round P 984 - Nateglinide 60mg Tablet
                  White Round 721 - Nateglinide 60mg Tablet
                  This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "721".White Round 721 - Nateglinide 60mg Tablet

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  ElSayed, N. E., et al. (2022). Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care.

                  InformedHealth.org. (2020). Medication for type 2 diabetes. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).

                  Sherifali, D., et al. (2010). The effect of oral antidiabetic agents on A1C levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Care.

                  View All References (2)

                  Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2022). NATEGLINIDE tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  You and Your Hormones. (2021). Insulin.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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