Repaglinide (Prandin®) Tablets for Mealtime Glucose Control

What Repaglinide Is and How It Works

Repaglinide is an oral diabetes medicine in the meglitinide class. It helps your pancreas release insulin quickly around meals. This short action lowers after-meal blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. The tablets are usually taken before each main meal. If you are comparing the repaglinide price or looking to order repaglinide online, YouDrugstore offers Canadian pricing on brand and generic medicines.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and licensed pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing. We also work with vetted international partner pharmacies so you can access authentic brands and a wide range of options at affordable prices.

Repaglinide is the generic for the brand Prandin. You may see repaglinide 0.5 mg, repaglinide 1mg, and repaglinide 2mg strengths. Common pack sizes vary by manufacturer, including repaglinide Teva and repaglinide Zentiva. This medication is taken by mouth. Typical dosing is before each meal two to four times daily, based on your meal pattern and blood sugar goals.

Repaglinide works by closing ATP-dependent potassium channels on pancreatic beta cells. This triggers calcium influx and insulin release. The effect starts quickly and fades within a few hours, which suits irregular eating schedules. It is not used for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Dosage and Usage

• Starting dose: 0.5 mg before each main meal if A1C is near target. If A1C is higher, some prescribers start at 1–2 mg before meals.
• Titration: Adjust the dose every 1–2 weeks based on self-monitoring and targets. Usual dose range is 0.5–4 mg before each meal. Maximum daily dose is 16 mg.
• When to take: Take 15 minutes before a meal. It may be taken from right before a meal up to 30 minutes beforehand.
• Skipped meals: Skip the dose if you skip a meal to reduce hypoglycemia risk.
• Missed dose: If you forget and the meal has started, take it as soon as you remember. If the meal is over, skip and resume with the next meal. Do not double the next dose.
• Switching from other agents: Dose changes from sulfonylureas or insulin secretagogues require care to avoid hypoglycemia.
• Drug interactions: Gemfibrozil is contraindicated; combining can markedly increase repaglinide levels. Clopidogrel can raise levels; avoid or use alternative therapy. Strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, clarithromycin, itraconazole) may require dose adjustments.

• Storage: Store at 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) in a dry place. Keep tablets in the original container with the label.
• Moisture and light: Protect from moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from direct sunlight.
• Travel: Pack enough tablets for your trip plus extras. Carry your medication in hand luggage with the prescription label.
• Heat and cold: Do not leave tablets in a hot car or near heaters. Do not freeze.
• Organization: A pill organizer can help with meal-time dosing. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Repaglinide targets post-meal glucose spikes and has flexible timing. The short action is helpful if your meal schedule varies. It can be used alone or with metformin. Many patients see improved postprandial numbers within the first doses, and A1C can improve over several weeks as doses are adjusted.

Ordering through YouDrugstore gives access to Canadian prices, which can mean 60–80 % savings versus typical US costs. This can reduce your ongoing repaglinide cost, especially for higher strengths like repaglinide 2mg. Multi-month supplies and bulk promotions often lower the per-month cost of therapy. We can send gentle reorder reminders so you do not run out.

See current repaglinide discount offers on our promotions page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: Hypoglycemia (shakiness, sweating, headache, dizziness), especially if a meal is delayed or skipped.
• Other: Weight gain, upper respiratory symptoms, back or joint pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea.
• Less common: Visual changes during glucose shifts, injection-site effects do not apply because this is an oral tablet.

Serious risks are uncommon but include severe hypoglycemia requiring assistance, liver enzyme elevations, or allergic reactions such as rash or swelling. The risk of low blood sugar increases when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. Avoid gemfibrozil; do not combine with clopidogrel without prescriber guidance. Use caution with strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inhibitors and with beta blockers that can mask hypoglycemia symptoms. Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Onset Time

Repaglinide begins to work quickly, often lowering post-meal glucose with the first dose. Peak effect occurs within several hours of taking a tablet before a meal. As the dose is titrated over 1–2 weeks, fasting and post-meal readings settle. A1C typically changes over 8–12 weeks of stable dosing. Weight effects vary, with some patients seeing small gains.

Compare With Alternatives

Sulfonylureas such as glipizide or glimepiride also stimulate insulin release but last longer. They cost less but can raise the risk of between-meal hypoglycemia and weight gain. Repaglinide is often preferred when postprandial control and flexibility are key.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors like Januvia® enhance incretin hormones to increase insulin in a glucose-dependent way. They are taken once daily and have a lower hypoglycemia risk when used alone, but they may cost more and have a modest A1C effect compared with secretagogues.

Fixed-dose combinations such as Janumet® combine metformin with sitagliptin in one tablet. This simplifies regimens for some patients who need two mechanisms. Repaglinide can be paired with metformin instead if mealtime control is the main need.

Combination Therapy

• With metformin: Common pairing to address both fasting and post-meal glucose.
• With thiazolidinediones (for example, pioglitazone): May be used if A1C goals are not met with one agent.
• With acarbose: Targets carbohydrate absorption and may further reduce postprandial spikes.
• With insulin or sulfonylureas: Increases hypoglycemia risk; dose reductions are often necessary or the combination is avoided.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with type 2 diabetes who have high after-meal glucose and need flexible dosing tied to meals. It can be useful for those with variable eating times. Repaglinide is metabolized in the liver; caution is advised in hepatic impairment. Kidney impairment usually has less effect on exposure than with some other drugs, but monitoring is still important.

Repaglinide is not indicated for type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or as a substitute for insulin where insulin is required. Avoid use with gemfibrozil. Discuss any history of severe hypoglycemia, liver disease, or pregnancy and breastfeeding with your prescriber to confirm suitability.

To manage the repaglinide 2mg price or the cost of repaglinide 1mg tablets, consider ordering multi-month supplies when appropriate. You can turn on reorder reminders in your account, and you may qualify for bulk pricing promotions that lower monthly costs.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Repaglinide (Prandin)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Repaglinide

Manufacturer Product Page for Prandin

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This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with your healthcare provider about your specific medical needs.