By Annette R. Karnash, R.N., M.N.
The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) issued a public warning back in May of 2003 not to use the combination of Prandin (repaglinide), a drug for lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and the cholesterol drug Lopid (gemfibrozil). EMEA serves a function within the European Union similar to that of the FDA in the U.S.
The basis for the warning was a recent publication in the March, 2003 issue of the medical journal Diabetologia that found the use of these two drugs in combination can enhance the blood sugar lowering effects of Prandin (repaglinide) and can result in severe hypoglycemia. The Europeans have received 5 reports of serious hypoglycemia associated with the use of Lopid and Prandin.
