Repaglinide for diabetes

About repaglinide

La insulina es una hormona que se produce de forma natural en el páncreas. Ayuda a controlar los niveles de azúcar (glucosa) en la sangre. Si el organismo no produce suficiente insulina o no utiliza eficazmente la que produce, se produce la diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

People with diabetes need treatment to control the amount of sugar in their blood. This is because good control of blood sugar levels reduces the risk of complications later on. Some people can control the sugar in their blood by making changes to the food they eat but, for other people, medicines like repaglinide are given alongside the changes in diet.

Repaglinide lowers blood glucose by encouraging your pancreas to produce more insulin. It starts to work quickly so it is particularly helpful in controlling blood sugar levels straight after a meal.

Before taking repaglinide

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking repaglinide it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are under 18 or over 75 years of age.

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• If you have a severe illness or infection.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to take repaglinide

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about repaglinide tablets and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking them.

• Take repaglinide exactly as your doctor tells you to. Take a dose before each of your main meals (usually breakfast, lunch and dinner). The best time to take repaglinide is 15 minutes before your meal, but you can take it at any time within the 30-minute period before your meal. If you miss a meal, do not take a tablet.

• There are three strengths of tablet - 500 micrograms, 1 mg, and 2 mg. It is likely you will be prescribed the lower-strength tablet to begin with. If it becomes necessary, your doctor may later increase the strength of the tablet you are prescribed.

• Take the tablets with a drink of water to help you swallow.

• If you forget to take a dose, do not worry, just take your next dose at the next mealtime as normal. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose, and do not take the tablets between meals.
  

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Es importante que acuda regularmente a las citas médicas y clínicas. Así podremos controlar su evolución. Necesitará revisiones periódicas en una clínica oftalmológica y podológica, así como con su médico y la clínica de diabetes.

• Su médico puede recomendarle que se haga análisis de azúcar (glucosa) en sangre u orina con regularidad para comprobar que su diabetes está controlada. Su médico o enfermera especializada en diabetes le enseñarán cómo hacerlo.

• Si su médico le ha aconsejado hacer cambios en la dieta, dejar de fumar o hacer ejercicio con regularidad, es importante que siga sus consejos.

• Repaglinide can cause low blood sugar. Make sure you know what it feels like if your blood sugar is too low. This is known as hypoglycaemia, or a 'hypo'. The first signs of hypoglycaemia are feeling shaky or anxious, sweating, looking pale, feeling hungry, having a feeling that your heart is pounding (palpitations), and feeling dizzy. If this happens, eat something containing sugar, such as dextrose tablets, jelly babies or a sugary drink (non-diet), and then follow this up with a snack such as a sandwich or a banana.

• Si es usted conductor, debe tener especial cuidado, ya que su capacidad de concentración puede verse afectada si su diabetes no está bien controlada. Es posible que le aconsejen que compruebe sus niveles de azúcar en sangre antes de viajar y que lleve un tentempié en los viajes largos.

• No beba alcohol, ya que puede afectar al control de su azúcar en sangre. Consulte a su médico si necesita más información al respecto.

• Si tiene una sed inusual, orina con más frecuencia de lo normal o se siente muy cansado, debe comunicárselo a su médico. Estos son signos de que tiene demasiada azúcar en la sangre y puede ser necesario ajustar el tratamiento.

• Consulte a su médico antes de realizar cualquier ejercicio físico nuevo, ya que tendrá un efecto sobre sus niveles de azúcar en sangre y es posible que deba comprobar sus niveles en sangre u orina con mayor regularidad.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, you should tell the person carrying out the treatment that you have diabetes and give them a list of the medicines you are taking. This is because if you are not able to eat for a time, you will be advised to skip your doses of repaglinide until you are eating normally again.

• Si compra algún medicamento, compruebe siempre con un farmacéutico que es adecuado para usted.

• Treatment for diabetes is usually lifelong. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

Can repaglinide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with repaglinide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

How to store repaglinide

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos