Nateglinide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 7, 2024.

Applies to nateglinide: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

It is very important to follow carefully any instructions from your health care team about:

• Alcohol—Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
• Other medicines—Do not take other medicines during the time you are taking nateglinide unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, pain relief, or sinus problems.
• Counseling—Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, patients with diabetes may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, including changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur in patients with diabetes during pregnancy.
• Travel—Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.

In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.

This medicine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This is more common when this medicine is taken together with certain medicines. Low blood sugar must be treated before it causes you to pass out (unconsciousness). People feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms you usually have so you can treat it quickly. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat low blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur if you do not take enough or skip a dose of your medicine, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or do not exercise as much as usual. High blood sugar can be very serious and must be treated right away. It is important that you learn which symptoms you have in order to treat it quickly. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat high blood sugar.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of nateglinide

Along with its needed effects, nateglinide 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 while taking nateglinide:

Other side effects of nateglinide

Some side effects of nateglinide 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:

incidence not known

• hives, itching, skin rash
• redness of the skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to nateglinide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported adverse events included upper respiratory tract infections and symptoms of hypoglycemia.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia
• Frequency not reported: Increases in mean uric acid level^[Ref]

Hypoglycemia has been reported and has generally been mild and corrected by intake of carbohydrates. In comparative clinical trials, hypoglycemia was reported in 10.4%, 14.5%, 6.9%, 19.8%, and 4.1% in patients receiving nateglinide alone, nateglinide plus metformin, metformin alone, glyburide alone, and placebo, respectively.

Mean uric acid levels were increased in patient receiving this drug as monotherapy. The difference from placebo in treated patients was 0.29 mg/dL, 0.45 mg/dL, 0.28 mg/dL, and 0.19 mg/dL in patients receiving nateglinide alone, nateglinide plus metformin, metformin alone, glyburide alone, respectively. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, coughing^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, itching, and urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal symptoms, especially diarrhea and nausea, were no more common in patients using this drug in combination with metformin than in patients receiving metformin alone.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, cholestatic hepatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthropathy^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Peripheral edema^[Ref]

Peripheral edema was no more common in patients using this drug in combination with rosiglitazone than in patients receiving rosiglitazone alone.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Postmarketing reports: Erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Flu symptoms^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Accidental trauma^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Nateglinide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer