Generic name: Nateglinide
What is Starlix?
Starlix (nateglinide) is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels by stimulating the body to produce insulin.
Health Benefits
Starlix can be used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Starlix include:
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately. You should also contact your doctor if you experience any serious side effects, such as:
Allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; hives; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
Low blood sugar (headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery or shaking)
High blood sugar (increased urination; excessive thirst; dry mouth; fruity breath odor)
Starlix is a prescription medicine used to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
Dosage
The usual starting dose of Starlix is 60 mg taken three times daily before each meal.
If you have kidney disease, your doctor may start you on a lower dose or monitor your kidney function more closely.
Interactions
Starlix can interact with other diabetes medicines, as well as with:
Insulin
Blood pressure medicines
ACE inhibitors
Beta blockers
Diuretics (water pills)
Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking Starlix with certain other drugs may affect how well they work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Your doctor will tell you if it is safe to take Starlix with other medications.
Mechanism of Action
Starlix works by increasing the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas.
This helps to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Pharmacokinetics
Starlix is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
It reaches peak concentrations in about 1 hour.
The half-life of Starlix is 2-3 hours.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Starlix should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
It is not known whether Starlix passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
Alternatives to Starlix
There are many other drugs available to treat type 2 diabetes. Some may be a better fit for you than others.
Other drugs include:
Metformin
Sulfonylureas
Thiazolidinediones
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Bile acid sequestrants
Meglitinides
SGLT2 inhibitors
Speak with your doctor about which medication may be the best for you. this is not all of the drugs available to treat type 2 diabetes. Your doctor can tell you about other options that may work well for you.
