Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Nateglinide use as follows:
- Nateglinide is metabolized in the liver and mainly excreted by the kidneys. Individuals with compromised liver and/or renal disease cannot metabolize and/or excrete nateglinide and metabolites normally. This results in the medication staying in circulation for longer time than normal and can be toxic. Individuals with history of compromised liver or kidney functions must discuss with their physician regarding safety with nateglinide use. While taking nateglinide, periodical labs could be ordered for evaluation of liver and kidney functions. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments and lab draws ordered, if any, for evaluation of liver and kidney function. Be accommodative to the changes in dose of nateglinide or treatment plan accordingly, to achieve an optimum blood sugar control response and prevent development of any undesired side-effects.
- Take weight reading regularly, every week, and maintain a log of every reading for comparative feedback. Maintain an ideal weight for your height, as striking this balance is key for blood sugar control. Both overweight and underweight conditions can disturb this balance and result in poor blood sugar control.
- Discuss with your physician regarding suggestions for exercise and calorie expenditure, based on parameters such as, weight, blood sugar regulation, average daily calorie intake, endurance, recommendations for weight loss, and so on. Observe compliance with any exercise scheduled prescribed by your doctor. Try not to underdo or overdo on your recommended exercise schedule, as it can contribute to poor blood sugar control. Underperforming on recommendations for exercise schedule can lead to poor calorie expenditure, weight gain, and poor blood sugar control with higher blood sugars than the desired. Overperforming on recommendations for exercise schedule can lead to excess calorie expenditure, excess weight loss than planned, and overly corrected blood sugars with lower numbers than the desired.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose, which can result in toxicity and an episode of dangerous hypoglycemia. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
