Prandin and Blood Sugar: An Overview
One of the possible side effects with
Prandin® (
repaglinide) is its effect on blood sugar levels. Prandin can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low (hypoglycemia). It is also possible for blood sugar levels to go too high (hyperglycemia).
Prandin and Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar is the most common side effect reported with Prandin.
Based on clinical studies, low blood sugar occurs in up to 31 percent of people taking the medication. In these studies, low blood sugar was more common in people who had never taken other
diabetes drugs before. It is also more common in elderly people and in people with adrenal, pituitary, liver, or kidney problems, as well as during fasting before surgery and after prolonged exercise.
Symptoms of low blood sugar can vary, depending on a number of factors, including how low the blood sugar levels are. Examples of early symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Shakiness
- Extreme hunger
- Dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Blurry vision.
More severe symptoms include:
- Changes in behavior, such as irritability
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Loss of life.
If you develop any possible symptoms of low blood sugar while on Prandin, contact your healthcare provider immediately, or seek emergency medical care and stop taking the medicine. If your healthcare provider believes that low blood sugar is causing your symptoms, he or she may recommend that you treat it immediately by eating or drinking something with sugar in it, such as orange juice, hard candy, a tablespoon of honey, or even a tablespoon of granulated sugar.
