Novonorm Tablet 0.5mg

About Novonorm Tablet 0.5mg

Novonorm Tablet Uses

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus, taken before meals to control blood sugar spikes
• Used alone or with metformin when diet and exercise are not enough
• Short term, meal time blood sugar management in adults

Novonorm Tablet Benefits

• Acts quickly to control the sugar rise that follows a meal
• Short acting effect allows flexible dosing around meal times
• Can be skipped safely if a meal is skipped, lowering hypoglycemia risk
• Works well in people with irregular eating schedules

What Experts Say

Repaglinide belongs to a class of medicines called meglitinides. It stimulates the pancreas to release insulin, but only for a short window after each dose. This differs from long acting sulfonylureas, which keep pushing insulin release throughout the day regardless of meal timing.

Because its action is tied closely to meal timing, repaglinide is usually taken within thirty minutes before eating. This meal linked pattern mimics the body's natural insulin response more closely and can reduce the chance of blood sugar dropping between meals when a dose is skipped along with the meal.

The main risk with this drug class is hypoglycemia, particularly if a dose is taken without eating afterward. Liver function affects how quickly the drug is cleared from the body, so dosing is adjusted carefully in people with liver disease. Interactions with other medicines that affect the same liver enzymes can raise or lower drug levels meaningfully, requiring dose changes.

Drug Class

• Meglitinide
• Short acting insulin secretagogue

Novonorm Tablet 0.5mg formula

• Repaglinide

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Novonorm Tablet 0.5mg?

• One dose within 30 minutes before a main meal, usually 2 to 4 times a day
• No dose if a meal is skipped
• An extra dose added if an extra meal is added
• Tablet swallowed whole with water
• Dosing schedule as set by your doctor, based on blood sugar readings

Drug Interactions

• Gemfibrozil: Sharply raises repaglinide blood levels and increases hypoglycemia risk, combination should be avoided.
• Clopidogrel: Increases repaglinide exposure, requiring caution.
• Ketoconazole and Itraconazole: Can raise repaglinide levels through liver enzyme inhibition.
• Rifampin: Lowers repaglinide levels and may reduce blood sugar control.
• Beta Blockers: May mask the warning signs of hypoglycemia.

Risks and warnings

• Hypoglycemia: Most common risk, higher when a meal is delayed or skipped after a dose.
• Cardiovascular Risk: Use with caution in patients with a history of heart disease, monitor closely when combined with NPH insulin.
• Liver Impairment: Use carefully in liver disease as clearance of the drug slows down.
• Kidney Impairment: Lower starting dose recommended in significant kidney disease.
• Drug Interactions: Certain antibiotics and antifungals can raise repaglinide levels sharply.

Novonorm Tablet 0.5mg Side Effects

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Headache
• Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain
• Back pain
• Weight gain
• Chest pain (report immediately)

Storage Conditions

• Store below 25°C away from direct sunlight
• Keep the blister strip inside its original carton until use
• Protect from moisture and humidity
• Keep out of reach of children