Starlix can help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It causes the pancreas to produce more insulin and lower blood sugar levels after meals. The medication comes in tablet form, and can be taken up to half an hour before each meal. Side effects are possible with Starlix, such as low blood sugar, flu-like symptoms, and dizziness.
Starlix is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
Starlix is part of a group of diabetes medications called meglitinides. A meglitinide helps the
pancreas make more insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar. Another type of diabetes medications, called sulfonylureas
(see Starlix Alternatives), also help the pancreas make more insulin. However, unlike sulfonylureas, Starlix is short-acting and is used to lower blood sugar levels after meals.
Several studies have looked at the effects of Starlix, particularly with regards to hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood sugar.
Starlix and Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a test used to measure long-term blood sugar control. For people without diabetes, HbA1c results are usually less than 6 percent, while people with diabetes usually have higher results. In one study, people taking Starlix lowered their HbA1c by up to 0.5 percent on average, while people not taking the drug increased their HbA1c by 0.2 percent.
Studies have shown that the higher the HbA1c, the greater the chance for developing long-term problems related to diabetes. This includes problems such as:
By getting blood sugar levels under control with Starlix, it may be possible to decrease the chances of developing these diabetes-related complications.
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