Type 2 Diabetes: D-Phenylalanine Derivative Drugs

Brand Name (Generic Name)

Starlix (nateglinide)

Nateglinide (nah-TAG-lin-ide) is the first medicine in a new group of diabetes pills called D-phenylalanine (dee-fen-nel-AL-ah-neen) derivatives. Nateglinide helps your pancreas make more insulin quickly and for a short time. Then the insulin helps lower your blood glucose after you eat a meal.

How often should I take nateglinide?

You take it with each meal. If you skip a meal, you should not take your nateglinide pill.

When should I take nateglinide?

You should take it from 1 to 30 minutes before a meal.

What are possible side effects?

This medicine may cause your blood glucose to drop too low. If you have liver disease, talk with your health care provider, since this medicine has not been tested in people with liver disease. Also, ask whether your other medicines might interact with nateglinide.

Are other diabetes medicines used with nateglinide?

Yes, your health care provider may ask you to take metformin along with nateglinide.