Nateglinide is an oral type 2 diabetes medication you take whenever you eat to control mealtime spikes in your blood sugar.

This medication should be taken before each meal, anywhere from 30 minutes to the moment before you begin to eat. If you skip a meal, skip your Nateglinide dose as well.

More common side effects may include:
Back pain, diarrhea, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, joint infection, upper respiratory infection
This medication, like all oral diabetes drugs, can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining this medication with the following:
Airway-opening drugs such as Alupent and Proventil
Aspirin
Beta blockers such as the blood pressure medications Inderal and Tenormin
Corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone)
Decongestants such as Sudafed
MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn
Salicylates such as the arthritis drugs Disalcid and Trilisate
Thiazide diuretics such as the water pills Esidrix and HydroDIURIL
Thyroid medications such as Synthroid

An overdose of Nateglinide can cause low blood sugar. Mild hypoglycemia can usually be corrected by eating sugar or a sugar-based product. If your symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention immediately.

Wait until your next meal, then take your regular dose. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Nateglinide combats high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes (the kind that does not require insulin shots).
It is prescribed only when diet and exercise--or aother diabetes drug alone--has failed to control blood sugar levels.

Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

You should periodically test your blood or urine for abnormal sugar (glucose) levels.
The effectiveness of any antidiabetic drug may decrease with time. This may occur because of either a diminished responsiveness to the medication or a worsening of the diabetes.
If you have liver disease, use Nateglinide with caution. Also, be aware that dialysis treatments may reduce the effectiveness of the drug.