Gluconorm (Repaglinide) belongs to the class of medications called antidiabetes agents. It is an oral hypoglycemic (lowering of blood sugar) medication used by people with Type 2 Diabetes, along with proper diet and exercise, for the control of blood sugar. It is used when diet, exercise, and weight reduction alone have not been found to control blood sugar well enough.

Gluconorm (Repaglinide) may also be used in combination with Metformin or Rosiglitazone, two other medications that lower blood sugar, when medication (in addition to diet, exercise, and weight reduction) does not control blood sugar well enough on its own. Gluconorm (Repaglinide) helps to control blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas.

Gluconorm (Repaglinide) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Gluconorm (Repaglinide) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Gluconorm (Repaglinide) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Gluconorm (Repaglinide) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Gluconorm (Repaglinide) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Gluconorm (Repaglinide) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual dose of Gluconorm (Repaglinide) is based on response to the medication, but is usually started at 0.5 mg. It can be taken either immediately before a meal or up to 30 minutes before a meal. The dose is increased by your doctor based on your response to the medication. The maximum daily dose is 16 mg. Gluconorm (Repaglinide) may be used along with other medications that reduce blood sugar if one medication is not enough to reduce blood sugar levels to the desired range.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Gluconorm (Repaglinide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of Gluconorm (Repaglinide), skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Gluconorm (Repaglinide) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Gluconorm (Repaglinide). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Gluconorm (Repaglinide) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• back pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• joint pain
• nausea
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• convulsions (seizures)
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• signs of an allergic reaction, e.g.:
• difficulty breathing
• Hives
• swelling of the face or throat
• signs of bleeding, e.g.:
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine
• dark tarry stools
• easy bruising
• nosebleeds
• vomiting blood
• unconsciousness

0.5 mg
Each white unscored, biconvex tablet, embossed with the Novo Nordisk (Apis) bull symbol and coloured to indicate strength contains Gluconorm (Repaglinide) 0.5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: amberlite (polacrilin potassium), calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, glycerol 85%, magnesium stearate, maize starch, meglumine, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), poloxamer, and povidone (polyvidone).

1 mg
Each yellow unscored, biconvex tablet, embossed with the Novo Nordisk (Apis) bull symbol and coloured to indicate strength contains Gluconorm (Repaglinide) 1 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: amberlite (polacrilin potassium), calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, glycerol 85%, magnesium stearate, maize starch, meglumine, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), povidone (polyvidone), and yellow iron oxide.

2 mg
Each peach unscored, biconvex tablet, embossed with the Novo Nordisk (Apis) bull symbol and coloured to indicate strength contains Gluconorm (Repaglinide) 2 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: amberlite (polacrilin potassium), calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, glycerol 85%, magnesium stearate, maize starch, meglumine, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), povidone (polyvidone), and red iron oxide.

Do not take Gluconorm (Repaglinide) if you:

• are allergic to Gluconorm (Repaglinide) or any ingredients of Gluconorm (Repaglinide)
• are taking the medication Gemfibrozil
• are taking the medication Clopidogrel
• have diabetic ketoacidosis with or without coma (this condition should be treated with insulin)
• have severe liver disease
• have Type 1 Diabetes

There may be an interaction between Gluconorm (Repaglinide) and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than the ones listed above may interact with Gluconorm (Repaglinide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Gluconorm (Repaglinide).

Blood sugar control: If you are exposed to extra stress such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery, your blood sugar control may vary. Monitor your blood sugar carefully and call the doctor if any important changes occur in your control.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur when taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide). If you experience low blood sugar (e.g., headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, and feeling jittery) while taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide), contact your doctor.

Kidney function: If you have decreased kidney function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Gluconorm (Repaglinide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Reduced liver function may cause higher levels of Gluconorm (Repaglinide) in the body and increase the risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Make sure you report all your medical conditions to your doctor(s). People with severe liver disease should not take Gluconorm (Repaglinide).

Missed or delayed meals: This medication acts by promoting the secretion of insulin and should be taken before meals. If a meal is skipped or delayed, the dosing of Gluconorm (Repaglinide) should be skipped or delayed as well.

Pregnancy: Gluconorm (Repaglinide) should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether Gluconorm (Repaglinide) passes into breast milk.  If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Gluconorm (Repaglinide), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: This safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.