What Is Nateglinide Used For? (Cont.)

Is Nateglinide Used for Type 1 Diabetes?

Most people produce insulin in their pancreas, including those with type 2 diabetes. However, with type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin (or not enough to control blood sugar levels). Nateglinide causes the cells inside the pancreas to make more insulin. However, if insulin-producing cells do not work, as is the case with type 1 diabetes, nateglinide will not be effective. This is why it is not used to treat type 1 diabetes. Instead, an insulin medication is needed.
 

Nateglinide as Part of Diabetes Treatment

The main goal of any diabetes treatment is to lower blood sugar levels (as measured by your hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) enough to reduce the risk for developing problems related to diabetes (see Diabetes Complications).
 
Any treatment for type 2 diabetes begins with lifestyle changes (weight loss, dietary changes, and exercise). If lifestyle changes alone are enough, diabetes drugs such as nateglinide may be necessary.
 
(To learn about controlling diabetes through lifestyle choices, click the following eMedTV links:
 

Is Nateglinide Used for Children?

Nateglinide has not been adequately studied in children; therefore, its use is not recommended. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using nateglinide in children with type 2 diabetes.
 

Is Nateglinide Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend nateglinide for something other than the condition discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label uses for nateglinide.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;