Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Nateglinide use as follows:
- Nateglinide is absorbed quickly, completes the action, and gets eliminated quickly. Nateglinide starts acting in about 30 minutes, peaks in action in about an hour, and ceases to act by 4 hours after intake of the medication. Since it is very quick to act, nateglinide is to be taken no earlier than 30 minutes before the mealtime. Taking nateglinide as scheduled can lead to increased insulin secretion but observing noncompliance with timely intake of food can lead to severe lowering of blood sugars and episodes of dangerous hypoglycemia.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as, dizziness, confusion, lightheadedness, sweating, and hunger, to avoid any episodes of altered levels of consciousness and accidental falls. One should stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until they are used to the side effects caused by nateglinide.
- Determine your meal and snack times and strictly adhere to the time. Observing compliance with the time of nutrition intake and the time of medication intake, as recommended, can help significantly with the goals of establishing a discipline with regards to eating habits, controlling the post-meal rise of blood sugars, regulating blood sugar numbers at the desired level, and preventing development of undesired complications. This can help prevent spurts of appetite stimulation and overeating. Consequently, it helps prevent weight gain.
- Taking this medication at regularly spaced intervals along with compliance for recommended dietary measures helps to prevent any gross fluctuations in blood sugar numbers and maintain them in the target range. This can also help with preventing any undesired side-effects and toxicity with the medication.
