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Why is this drug prescribed?

Prandin is used to reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes (the kind that does not require insulin shots). It's prescribed when diet and exercise alone fail to correct the problem. A combination of Prandin and a second diabetes drug called Glucophage can be prescribed if either drug alone proves insufficient.

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Most important fact about this drug

Chronically high glucose levels have been implicated in the kidney failure, blindness, and loss of sensation that plague many people with long-standing diabetes. A low-calorie diet, weight loss, and exercise are your first line of defense against these problems. Medications such as Prandin are prescribed only as a back-up when these other measures still leave sugar too high. If diet, exercise, and a combination of Prandin and Glucophage all fail to do the job, your doctor may have to start you on insulin.

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How should you take this medication?

Prandin should be taken shortly before each meal. You can take it 30 minutes ahead of time or wait until just before starting; a 15-minute period is typical. You can take Prandin 2, 3, or 4 times a day, depending on the number of meals you have. If you skip a meal (or add an extra meal), skip (or add) a dose accordingly.

--If you miss a dose...

Wait until your next meal, then take your regular dose. Do not take 2 doses at once.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature away from moisture in a tightly closed container.

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What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Prandin.

More common side effects may include:
Back pain, bronchitis, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache, indigestion, joint pain, low blood sugar, nasal inflammation, nausea, sinus inflammation, skin tingling, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, vomiting

Less common and rare side effects may include:
Allergic reactions, angina (chest pain), tooth problems

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Why should this drug not be prescribed?

If you have type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes, you cannot use Prandin. The drug also cannot be used for diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening emergency first signaled by excessive thirst, nausea, fatigue, and fruity-smelling breath). This condition must be treated with insulin.

If you find that Prandin gives you an allergic reaction, you'll be unable to continue using it.

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Special warnings about this medication

While taking Prandin, you should check your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor will also watch it; and to measure long-term glucose control, he will probably give you a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test as well.

Too much Prandin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), marked by shaking, sweating, and cold-clammy skin. If you develop these symptoms, take some orange juice or suck on a hard candy. The problem is more likely to surface if you are elderly, debilitated, or malnourished, have liver problems, or suffer from poor adrenal or pituitary function.

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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication

If Prandin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Prandin with the following:

Airway-opening medications such as Alupent, Proventil, and Ventolin
Alcohol (excessive amounts can cause low blood sugar)
Aspirin
Barbiturates such as the sedatives Seconal and Nembutal
Beta blockers such as the blood pressure medications Inderal and Tenormin
Blood thinners such as Dicumarol and Miradon
Calcium channel blockers such as the blood pressure medications Cardizem and Procardia
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Glucose lowering agents such as Glucotrol and Micronase
Isoniazid
Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Stelazine
MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
Niacin (Nicobid)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, and Voltaren
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Probenecid (Benemid, ColBENEMID)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Steroids such as prednisone
Sulfa drugs such as Gantanol
Thyroid medications such as Synthroid
Water pills such as the thiazide diuretics Dyazide and HydroDIURIL

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Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Because abnormal blood sugar during pregnancy can cause fetal defects, your doctor will probably prescribe insulin injections until the baby is born. The effects of Prandin during pregnancy have not been adequately studied.

It is not known whether Prandin appears in breast milk. Discuss with your doctor whether to discontinue breastfeeding or give up Prandin. If the medication is discontinued, and diet alone does not control your blood sugar levels, your doctor may recommend insulin injections.

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Recommended dosage

ADULTS

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Take Prandin before each meal. The recommended dose ranges from 0.5 milligram to 4 milligrams. If you have never taken a glucose-lowering medication before, you should start with the 0.5-milligram dose. If you have taken these drugs in the past, the starting dose is 1 or 2 milligrams. Take no more than 16 milligrams a day.

Dose Adjustment

Your dose of Prandin will be adjusted according to your fasting blood sugar levels. Your doctor will wait at least a week after each change in dose to check your response.

Switching to Prandin

When Prandin replaces another oral glucose-lowering medicine, you should start taking it the day after your final dose or the previous drug. Be alert for signs of low blood sugar; effects of the drugs may overlap.

Combination Therapy:

If Prandin is being added to Glucophage therapy, you should begin with a 0.5-milligram dose. Dosage will then be adjusted according to your blood glucose levels.

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Overdosage

An overdose of Prandin taken without food can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Symptoms of mild hypoglycemia may include:
Cold sweat, confusion, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, hunger, nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shaking

Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia may include:
Coma, pale skin, seizure, shallow breathing

Consuming some sugar will usually correct the problem. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor.

Synonym

United States: Prandin
United Kingdom: NovoNorm
Thailand: NovoNorm
Switzerland: NovoNorm
Sweden: NovoNorm Prandin
Spain: NovoNorm
Singapore: NovoNorm
South Africa: NovoNorm
Russia: NovoNorm (НовоНорм)
New Zealand: NovoNorm
Norway: NovoNorm
Netherlands: NovoNorm
Mexico: NovoNorm
Malaysia: NovoNorm
Italy: NovoNorm
Israel: NovoNorm
Ireland: NovoNorm
India: Rapilin
Hungary: NovoNorm
Hong Kong: NovoNorm
Greece: NovoNorm
Germany: NovoNorm
France: NovoNorm
Finland: NovoNorm
Denmark: NovoNorm
Czech Republic: NovoNorm
Chile: NovoNorm
Canada: Gluconorm Prandin NovoNorm
Brazil: Gluconorm
Belgium: NovoNorm
Austria: NovoNorm
Australia: NovoNorm Sestrine
Argentina: NovoNorm