Prandin

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Because abnormal blood sugar during pregnancy can cause fetal defects, your doctor will probably prescribe insulin injections until the baby is born. The effects of Prandin during pregnancy have not been adequately studied.

It is not known whether Prandin appears in breast milk. Discuss with your doctor whether to discontinue breastfeeding or give up Prandin. If the medication is discontinued, and diet alone does not control your blood sugar levels, your doctor may recommend insulin injections.

Recommended dosage for Prandin

ADULTS

Take Prandin before each meal. The recommended dose ranges from 0.5 milligram to 4 milligrams. If you have never taken a glucose-lowering medication before, you should start with the 0.5-milligram dose. If you have taken these drugs in the past, the starting dose is 1 or 2 milligrams. Take no more than 16 milligrams a day.

Dose Adjustment

Your dose of Prandin will be adjusted according to your fasting blood sugar levels. If your pre-meal glucose level appears normal and you are still experiencing glucose control problems, your doctor may test your glucose level after you have eaten a meal. Your doctor will wait at least a week after each change in dose to check your response.

Switching to Prandin

When Prandin replaces another oral glucose-lowering medicine, you should start taking it the day after your final dose or the previous drug. Be alert for signs of low blood sugar; effects of the drugs may overlap.

Combination Therapy:

If Prandin is being added to Glucophage therapy, you should begin with a 0.5-milligram dose. Dosage will then be adjusted according to your blood glucose levels.

Overdosage

An overdose of Prandin taken without food can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

• Symptoms of mild hypoglycemia may include:
  Cold sweat, confusion, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, hunger, nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shaking

• Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia may include:
  Coma, pale skin, seizure, shallow breathing

Consuming some sugar will usually correct the problem. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor.