What Is Repaglinide and Metformin Used For?

If you have type 2 diabetes, a healthcare provider may prescribe repaglinide and metformin. Uses of this prescription medication are designed to treat type 2 diabetes in people who already take both medications separately, or whose diabetes is not adequately controlled with either medication. By lowering blood sugar levels, repaglinide and metformin can help prevent serious problems associated with high blood sugar, such as kidney failure, heart disease, and diabetic impotence.

What Is Repaglinide and Metformin Used For?

Repaglinide and metformin (PrandiMet™) is a prescription medication that contains two different diabetes medications: repaglinide (Prandin®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®). It is approved to treat type 2 diabetes in people who already take both medications or whose diabetes is not adequately controlled with either repaglinide or metformin alone.
 
Repaglinide and metformin is not approved for use in treating type 1 diabetes or a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis ("DKA").
 

Using Repaglinide and Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes (see Diabetes Types). It is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as well as they normally should. The pancreas attempts to compensate for this by making more insulin, but eventually the pancreas simply cannot keep up, leading to high blood sugar levels.
 
Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to a number of problems, including diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease (see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood, although it is known that obesity and genetics play an important role.
 
Repaglinide and metformin contains two different diabetes medicines. These two medications work differently and have the following effects in the body:
 
  • Repaglinide belongs to a group of diabetes medications called meglitinides. Meglitinides can lower blood sugar levels by helping the pancreas make more insulin. Another type of diabetes medication known as sulfonylureas (see PrandiMet Alternatives) also helps the pancreas make more insulin. However, unlike sulfonylureas, repaglinide is a short-acting medication and is generally used to lower blood sugar levels after meals.
     
  • Metformin works in several ways. It decreases the amount of sugar (glucose) made by the liver. Metformin can also decrease the amount of sugar absorbed into the body (from the diet) and can make insulin receptors more sensitive, improving the way the body responds to its own insulin. All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar levels.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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