[symbol: see text] Nateglinide (Starlix-Novartis) and [symbol: see text] repaglinide (NovoNorm-Novo Nordisk) are two of a new class of orally active antidiabetic drugs, the meglitinides. They have a rapid-onset and short-lasting stimulating effect on insulin secretion. Both are licensed for combination therapy with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are inadequately controlled by maximally tolerated doses of metformin alone. In addition, repaglinide is licensed for use as monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes whose hyperglycaemia can no longer be controlled satisfactorily by diet, weight reduction and exercise. Here we discuss whether repaglinide and nateglinide offer worthwhile advantages in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes.