Ecivon - Starlix (nateglinide)

There is a new oral medication on the market for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The new drug is called Starlix® (nateglinide) and is being marketed by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. Starlix was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2000. The early indications are that Starlix may provide better long-term control of blood sugar levels than other oral diabetes medications.

Following a meal, insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas to take up sugar, also called glucose, from the blood into various cells, mostly liver, muscle, and fat cells. The glucose can then be used as a source of energy by the body. In type 2 diabetes, cells in the body do not respond to insulin the way they should. Cells become insensitive to insulin, which means that they do not take up as much glucose from the blood as they should. This results in high blood glucose levels, also known as hyperglycemia. Having hyperglycemia, even for just short periods of time over years, can lead to many problems involving the heart, eyes, kidneys, and more. Therefore, it is very important for people with diabetes to check their blood glucose level often to avoid going into hyperglycemia. The oral diabetes medications, such as Starlix, have been developed to assist the diabetes patient with keeping their blood glucose levels under control.