Brand Name: Starlix®
Active Ingredient: nateglinide
Strength(s): 60 mg, 120 mg
Dosage Form(s): Tablets
Company Name: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Availability: Prescription only
Date Approved by FDA: December 22, 2000

What is Starlix used for?

Starlix is used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes) whose high blood sugar cannot be controlled with diet and exercise and who have not been taking other diabetic medicines regularly. Starlix can be given alone or in addition to metformin (GlucophageÒ).

Who should not take Starlix?

You should not take Starlix if you have:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the urine)

General Precautions with Starlix:

• There is a risk of your blood sugar becoming too low when taking diabetes medicine. Strenuous physical exercise, drinking alcoholic beverages, or not eating enough can increase this possibility when taking Starlix.
• Starlix should not replace or be used in addition to glyburide (Diabeta Ò , MicronaseÒ , GlynaseÒ ) or other sulfonylureas (AmarylÒ , DiabineseÒ , GlucotrolÒ ). Starlix should not replace metformin.

Because certain other medicines may affect the effectiveness of Starlix, tell your doctor or health care provider about the medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. These drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as MotrinÒ and AdvilÒ , and salicylates, such as aspirin.

Tell your health care provider if you:

• currently are taking other medicines for diabetes, including glyburide (DiabetaÒ , MicronaseÒ , GlynaseÒ , GlucovanceÒ ) or metformin (GlucophageÒ , GlucovanceÒ )
• currently have liver problems or have a history of liver problems
• are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What are some possible side effects of Starlix? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Starlix. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

The most common side effect is blood sugar that gets too low (hypoglycemia).

Posted: 7/5/01