{blacktriangledown}Nateglinide and {blacktriangledown}repaglinide for type 2 diabetes?

doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.41752

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2003;41:52-54; doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.41752

${blacktriangledown}$ Nateglinide and ${blacktriangledown}$ repaglinide for type 2 diabetes?

Relevant BNF section: 6.1.2.3

${blacktriangledown}$ Nateglinide (Starlix - Novartis) and ${blacktriangledown}$ repaglinide (NovoNorm -Novo Nordisk) are two of a new class of orally active antidiabeticdrugs, the meglitinides. They have a rapid-onset and short-lastingstimulating effect on insulin secretion. Both are licensed forcombination therapy with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetesmellitus who are inadequately controlled by maximally tolerateddoses of metformin alone. In addition, repaglinide is licensedfor use as monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes whosehyperglycaemia can no longer be controlled satisfactorily bydiet, weight reduction and exercise. Here we discuss whetherrepaglinide and nateglinide offer worthwhile advantages in themanagement of patients with type 2 diabetes.