NATEGLINIDE is a medicine used to lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is sometimes used with other medicines for diabetes.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetic ketoacidosis
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to nateglinide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

Take nateglinide tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Do not chew the tablets. Nateglinide is usually taken three times a day with a meal. Each dose should be taken 1-30 minutes before each meal. If you skip a meal, do not take that dose of nateglinide. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not take nateglinide without a meal. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

If you miss a dose before a meal, skip that dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose with the next scheduled meal as directed. Do not take double or extra doses.

Many medications may cause an increase or decrease in blood sugar, these include:

• alcohol containing beverages
• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• chloramphenicol
• chromium
• diuretics
• female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
• heart medicines
• isoniazid
• male hormones or anabolic steroids
• medicines for weight loss
• medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
• medicines for mental problems
• medicines called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl
• niacin
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• other medicines for diabetes including tolbutamide
• pentamidine
• phenytoin
• probenecid
• quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin
• some herbal dietary supplements
• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
• thyroid medicine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to monitor blood or urine sugar and urine ketones regularly. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your blood sugar is high, you may need a change of dose of nateglinide.

Do not skip meals. If you are exercising much more than usual you may need extra snacks to avoid side effects caused by low blood sugar.

Alcohol can increase possible side effects of nateglinide. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol.

If you have mild symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something containing sugar at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional. It is wise to check your blood sugar to confirm that it is low. It is important to recognize your own symptoms of low blood sugar so that you can treat them quickly.

Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking nateglinide.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• dizziness
• fast heart rate
• low blood sugar (ask your doctor or healthcare professional for a list of these symptoms)
• skin rash or itchy skin
• sweating
• tremor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• back pain
• diarrhea
• infection
• joint pain
• nausea/vomiting
• upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.