Prandin is the brand name for the drug repaglinide, a medication used to control circulating blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Because of its strong effect on blood sugar levels, it is commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, Prandin is not thought to contribute to weight loss; in fact, some diabetic users may experience weight gain while using the drug. Prandin use is associated with a number of possible side effects--including weight gain--and should be avoided by individuals with certain conditions.
Aspects
Prandin is blood-glucose lowering drug that is administered orally and can contain anywhere between 0.5 mg and 2 mg of repaglinide as its active ingredient. Prandin tablets also contain a number of inactive ingredients that function as stabilizing, emulsifying and lubricating agents, as well as providing color to the tablets; these inactive ingredients include magnesium stearate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, cellulose, glycerol, polacrilin potassium and iron oxide.
Function
Prandin is a common oral Type 2 diabetes medication because it helps keep blood sugar levels in control by stimulating the beta cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin. Since insulin works in the body by moving circulating glucose from the bloodstream into the tissue's cells where the glucose is then used as energy for metabolic processes, a proper amount of insulin is crucial; in people who lack enough insulin to do the job, Prandin is often an effective treatment.
Effect on Weight Loss
Prandin helps control blood sugar levels, but it does not stimulate or promote weight loss. The main Prandin website reports that while diabetic patients who were switched to Prandin as their primary medication from hypoglycemic-treating drugs didn't experience any weight gain, diabetics moved to Prandin from sulfonylurea drugs did gain weight--an average of 3.3 percent. The idea that Prandin can cause weight loss probably stems from its effect on blood sugar levels. Although it is a commonly held diet belief that having a lower circulating blood sugar level causes less insulin to be released and less sugar to be stored as fat, resulting in more fat burned and weight loss to occur, the Health Castle site reports that this is false. If a Prandin user experiences weight loss while taking the drug, it may simply be because Type 2 diabetes is usually treated with regular exercise and healthy dietary changes in addition to medication.
Side Effects
Prandin use can cause a number of mild side effects in addition to mild weight gain, including dizziness; black or bloody bowel movements; an unusually fast heartbeat; blurred vision; hoarseness; cold or flu-like symptoms such as coughing and a stuffed or runny nose; episodes of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia; headaches; nausea; pain in the joints; and temporary hair loss. Some people may experience more severe side effects from an allergic reaction to repaglinide--difficulty breathing; unusual swelling, especially in the face, lips, tongue or throat--or symptoms such as blistering skin, a fever, severe nausea and vomiting, yellowing skin, dark urine, acute abdominal pain and even convulsions.
Warning
Prandin should not be used by anyone who is pregnant, nursing, suffering from liver problems or from Type 1 diabetes or who is taking one of the following medications: cyclosporine; certain seizure medications like phenytoin; phenobarbital; antifungal medications like fluconazole; HIV or AIDS drugs; a variety of heart and blood pressure medications; and antibiotics like erythromycin or clarithromycin. Additionally, Prandin should not be used if you are taking the herb St. John's wort.
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