Consumer Information for: SANDOZ REPAGLINIDE

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for
  • to lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose blood sugar levels cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone (monotherapy).
  • in combination with metformin to lower blood sugar in patients whose blood sugar levels cannot be controlled by diet and exercise only plus metformin alone.
  • In combination with rosiglitazone in patients who cannot take metformin and whose blood sugar levels cannot be controlled by diet and exercise plus Sandoz Repaglinide or rosiglitazone alone.
What it does

Sandoz Repaglinide is an oral antidiabetic agent used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It helps your body release more insulin when your blood sugar is high. This helps improve your blood sugar control.

When it should not be used

Do not use Sandoz Repaglinide if you:

  • Have known hypersensitivity to repaglinide tablets or any of the other ingredients in Sandoz Repaglinide
  • Have diabetic ketoacidosis (accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine)
  • Have type 1 diabetes
  • Have severe liver disease
  • Are taking gemfibrozil (a medicine used to lower increased fat levels in the blood)
  • Are taking clopidogrel (a medicine used to prevent blood clots)
What the medicinal ingredient is

Repaglinide

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

calcium hydrogen phosphate, anhydrous, cellulose, microcrystalline, ferric oxide red (2 mg only), ferric oxide yellow (1 mg only), glycerol, hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, meglumine, polacrilin potassium, poloxamer type 188, silica, colloidal anhydrous

What dosage form it comes in

Sandoz Repaglinide is available in three strengths in bottles of 100 tablets:

  • 0.5 mg (white tablets)
  • 1 mg (yellow, slightly dotted tablets)
  • 2 mg (pale red, slightly dotted tablets)
Warnings and precautions

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Sandoz Repaglinide. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • Have a history of allergy or intolerance to any medications or other substances
  • Have a history of liver or kidney problems
  • Are or think you may be pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Are over 75 years of age

Other warnings you should know about:
Sandoz Repaglinide is not recommended for use in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.

The treatment with insulin secretagogues (drugs that stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas) in general has been associated with more heart-related deaths as compared to treatment with diet alone or diet plus insulin.

Sandoz Repaglinide may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you miss a meal, exercise for a long time, drink alcohol or use another anti-diabetic medication with Sandoz Repaglinide.

You should ask your doctor or pharmacist or diabetes educator about symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do if you experience these symptoms. You should also test your blood sugar as instructed by your doctor.

The warning signs of hypoglycemia may come on suddenly and can include:

  • cold sweat;
  • cool pale skin;
  • headache
  • rapid heart beat;
  • feeling sick;
  • difficulty in concentrating.

Severe hypoglycemia can cause loss of consciousness, seizure, brain damage and even death.

Your blood sugar may get too high (hyperglycemia) if you have fever, infection, surgery, or trauma (stress conditions). In such cases, contact your doctor as your medication may need to be adjusted.

Driving and Operating Machinery:

Alertness and reactions may be impaired due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially when beginning or after changing treatment or when Sandoz Repaglinide is not taken regularly. This may affect your ability to drive or to operate machinery.

Interactions with this medication

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

Serious Drug Interactions

Do not use of repaglinide with gemfibrozil (used to treat high blood fats).

Do not use repaglinide with clopidogrel (a medicine used to prevent blood clots).

Many medicines affect the way glucose works in your body and this may influence your Sandoz Repaglinide dose. Listed below are the most common medicines, which may affect your treatment with Sandoz Repaglinide:

  • Other anti-diabetic agents (used to lower blood sugar)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (used to treat depression)
  • Beta blocking agents (used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions)
  • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions)
  • Salicylates (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid)
  • Octreotide
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) (a type of painkillers)
  • Anabolic steroids and corticosteroids (used for anemia or to treat inflammation)
  • Oral contraceptives (used for birth control)
  • Thiazides (diuretics or ‘water pills’)
  • Danazol (used to treat breast cysts and endometriosis)
  • Thyroid hormones (used to treat patients with low levels of thyroid hormones)
  • Sympathomimetics (used to treat asthma)
  • Clarithromycin, trimethoprim, rifampicin (antibiotics)
  • Itraconazole, ketoconazole (anti-fungal drug)
  • Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital (used to treat epilepsy/seizures)
  • Cyclosporine (used to suppress the immune system)
  • Deferasirox (used to reduce chronic iron overload)
  • Non-prescription and over the counter drugs such as drugs for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever or sinus problems

Alcohol may increase the effect of Sandoz Repaglinide on lowering your blood sugar and therefore impair your ability to concentrate. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Sandoz Repaglinide.

Grapefruit juice may increase the effect of Sandoz Repaglinide.

Proper use of this medication

How to take Sandoz Repaglinide:

Your doctor will prescribe Sandoz Repaglinide according to your needs. Take Sandoz Repaglinide exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Usual dose:

Sandoz Repaglinide tablets should be taken with meals, usually 15 minutes before the meal. However, Sandoz Repaglinide tablets may be taken 30 minutes before a meal or right before a meal.

Overdose:

If you take more Sandoz Repaglinide than you should, your blood sugar may become too low leading to a hypoglycemic event. The symptoms of such an event include: headache, dizziness, tiredness, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, shakiness, nausea and sweating.

Discuss with your healthcare professional about how to treat low blood sugar.

If you think you have taken too much Sandoz Repaglinide, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose of Sandoz Repaglinide, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take your usual dose before your next meal.

Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Sandoz Repaglinide. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact you healthcare professional. Please also see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.

The following side effects may occur during your treatment with Sandoz Repaglinide:

Common

  • visual disturbance
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • constipation

Uncommon

  • liver dysfunction
  • itching
  • redness
  • vomiting
  • rash
  • hives
  • abnormal blood test results
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Symptom/effect Talk with your doctor or pharmacist Only if severe Talk with your doctor or pharmacist In all cases Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist
Very Common
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Symptoms include: cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, rapid heartbeat, feeling sick and/or difficulty in concentrating.		   ✔  
Common
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Symptoms include: increased urination, feeling thirsty, dry skin and dry mouth.		   ✔  
Sudden severe headache or worsening of headache, dizziness, tremors, fatigue or increased sweating     ✔
Diarrhea, constipation, gas, upset stomach, nausea or abdominal pain   ✔  
Sudden partial or complete loss of vision     ✔
Uncommon
Chest pain or pressure, and/or shortness of breath     ✔
Allergy
Symptoms include: swelling, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, feeling dizzy and sweating		     ✔

If you have troublesome symptom or side effects that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Sandoz Repaglinide should be stored between 15°C - 25°C, which is generally room temperature. Do not store Sandoz Repaglinide in moist areas, like the bathroom medication cabinet or other damp places. Always store it in the bottle it came in, with the lid on tight.

Do not use Sandoz Repaglinide after the expiry date on the package. Medicines should not be disposed of down the drain or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice

More information

If you want more information about Sandoz Repaglinide:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professional and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting Health Canada website https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html ; the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca, or by calling 1-800-361-3062.

This leaflet was prepared by Sandoz Canada Inc.

Last revised: August 16, 2018.

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