Medical Encyclopedia

Starlix (nateglinide) is a peroral anti-diabetic medicine, a derivative of phenylalanine, produced by one of the largest suppliers of anti-diabetic agents of different types in the world, a Swiss innovative healthcare products company Novartis. Starlix is used to treat diabetes mellitus, or diabetes type 2, both as a mono-therapy and sometimes in combination with other medications with complementary mechanisms of action. Its basic function is restoring insulin secretion in the body and therefore it leads to the decrease in postprandial concentration of glucose in the blood as well as the decrease in the level of glycated hemoglobin.

Insulin secretion as a bodily reaction to glucose stimulus is a vitally important mechanism safeguarding the acceptable level of glucose in the blood. If you are a diabetes type 2 sufferer, this phase is either does not work altogether or there are abnormalities in the way it progresses. Nateglinide, an amino acid derivative that lowers the blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion, restores this important phase. Thus, Starlix restoring insulin secretion prevents postprandial glucose buildup in the body. The usual mechanism in which this medication acts includes establishing contact with the receptors for a short while and bringing the postprandial glucose concentration back to its level before food consumption. The peak of the medication action is the period of 15 minutes up to 60 minutes after the intake when it brings about intensive insulin secretion which is further processed by the body. On average, the process of normalizing the level of glucose in the blood after a meal takes 3-4 hours.

The effect of Starlix is quick and short-term, which helps avoid the development of hypoglycemic conditions typical of longer-term types of anti-diabetic agents. It is a noteworthy feature of Starlix that it is capable to self-regulate its action depending on the level of blood sugar. Insulin secretion by beta-cells of the pancreas caused by Starlix is glucose dependent, which means that simultaneous food intake leads to the pronounced increase in insulin secretion, and under conditions of low glucose concentration insulin release is reduced.

One more positive feature usually attributed to Starlix is that it does not cause significant weight gain on chronic administration.

When it comes to general types of contraindication, Starlix is prohibited under the following conditions: diabetes type 1, diabetic ketoacidosis and renal impairment, impaired liver function, pregnancy, lactation, young age, and hypersensitivity to this medicine or its components.

It should be kept in mind that under certain conditions Starlix intake can be coupled with a temporary loss of glycemic control. Such conditions include surgery, fever, trauma or infection. In such cases diabetes specialists usually recommend resorting to insulin therapy. Besides, dialysis can reduce the effectiveness of Starlix.

Starlix offers a very flexible regime of taking. Normally it does not require any dose modifications. The most typical prescription is 1 pill (120 gm) from 1 to 30 minutes up to the limit of 60 minutes before a meal.

Any diabetes sufferer knows that there is no single medicine to alleviate the course of diabetes treatment. That is why Starlix is and should be considered an adjunct to diet, exercises and day regimen. Only then you can see improvement in your glycemic control.