Starlix

This page contains drug information on Starlix.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Starlix
the possible side effects of Starlix
what happens if you miss a dose of Starlix
what happens if you overdose with Starlix
the most important information about Starlix
how to use Starlix
other drugs that may affect Starlix
what to avoid while using Starlix
 
Generic Name: nateglinide (oral) (nah TEH glih nide)
Brand Names: Starlix
 
What is the most important information I should know about starlix?
 •  Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
 •  Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these routines can affect blood sugar levels.
 •  Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with diabetes treatment.

What is starlix?
 •  starlix stimulates the pancreas to release insulin. The body needs insulin to break down sugars in food.
 •  starlix is used to treat diabetes, along with diet and exercise. starlix may also be used in combination with other diabetes medicines.
 •  starlix may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking starlix?
 •  starlix should not be used by patients whose high blood sugar is not adequately controlled with glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase) or other similar medicines that increase the release of insulin in the body. Ask your doctor if you are taking this type of medication and if starlix is the right choice for you.
 •  Before taking starlix, tell your doctor if you
      · have liver disease
      · have Type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes)
      · have diabetic ketoacidosis
      · have a serious infection, illness, or injury or
      · need to have surgery.
 •  You may not be able to take starlix, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 •  starlix is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether starlix will be harmful to an unborn baby. Insulin is often the drug chosen for controlling diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take starlix without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
 •  It is not known whether starlix passes into breast milk. Do not take starlix without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take starlix?
 •  Take starlix exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 •  Take each dose with a full glass of water.
 •  Take starlix one to thirty minutes before meals.
 •  If you plan to skip a meal, skip the starlix dose for that meal, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you add a meal or significantly more food to your diet than is usual, ask your doctor if you may need an additional dose of starlix.
 •  It is important to take starlix regularly to get the most benefit.
 •  Your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood or urine tests and/ or additional types of monitoring during treatment with starlix.
 •  Store starlix at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  If you forget to take a dose until after eating, skip that dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose, before a meal.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
 •  Symptoms of a starlix overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking starlix?
 •  Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these routines can affect blood sugar levels.
 •  Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with diabetes treatment.
 •  Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before you undergo any surgery.
 •  Do not take any over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight-loss medications without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

What are the possible side effects of starlix?
 •  Stop taking starlix and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives).
 •  Other, less serious side effects from starlix result mostly from blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency situation.
 •  Low blood sugar may occur when too much starlix is taken when meals are missed or delayed if you exercise more than usual during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea if you take other medications after drinking alcohol and in other situations.
 •  Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar has the following symptoms:
      · shaking
      · headache
      · cold sweats
      · pale, cool skin
      · drowsiness
      · extreme hunger
      · confusion
      · diarrhea and gas
      · nervousness or anxiety and
      · difficulty concentrating.
 •  Keep hard, sugary candy (non-dietetic) chocolate fruit juice or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
 •  Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough starlix is taken, if you eat significantly more food then usual, if you exercise less than usual, if you take other medications, during fever or other illness, and in other situations.
 •  Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar has the following symptoms:
      · increased thirst,
      · increased hunger, and
      · increased urination.
 •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect starlix?
 •  Before taking starlix, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: 
      · a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and others
      · aspirin (Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, Easprin, others) or another salicylate such as salsalate (Disalcid, Salflex, Salsitab, others), choline magnesium trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate), and others
      · a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
      · a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), or propranolol (Inderal)
      · a steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol), dexamethasone (Decadron), prednisolone (Prelone, others), and others
      · a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Hygroton), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), and others
      · a thyroid supplement such as Levoxyl, Synthroid, Levothroid, Levotabs, Thyrolar, Cytomel, and others or
      · a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and others.
 •  The medicines listed above may interact with starlix or affect blood sugar control. You may require dosage adjustments or special monitoring during treatment.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with starlix or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.