Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is Nesina, and it helps treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar in two ways:

* It helps your liver make less sugar, and
* It helps your pancreas make more insulin 

Over time, healthy blood sugar levels may protect you from serious health problems, like damage to your eyes, nerves and kidneys. 

Nesina is taken once a day, at the same time each day. You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you. You can take it with or without food.

Most patients tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include a headache, symptoms of a head cold, or a stuffy or runny nose with a sore throat. These are normal if they are mild, and should go away. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.  

Low blood sugar is not likely with Nesina. It could happen, though, if you also take certain other diabetes medicines. Your doctor will tell you when to check your blood sugar, and what your goal is. Together, you should make a plan of how to treat it if it is low or high.

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects could occur. With Nesina, this includes allergic reactions, joint pain, and problems of the skin, heart, liver, or kidneys. Pancreatitis could also occur. You should call your doctor right away if you have pain in your stomach area that is severe and that does not go away. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow you closely. You should read the Medication Guide for full information.

For best results with Nesina, be sure to follow the diet and exercise program that your doctor recommends.