Nateglinide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas.

Nateglinide is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with nateglinide if needed.

Nateglinide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nateglinide, if you have type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Nateglinide is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nateglinide, if you have type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

To make sure you can safely take nateglinide, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or gout.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether nateglinide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether nateglinide passes into breast milk or if it could be harmful to a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking nateglinide.