A phenylalanine derivative of the meglitinide class of agents with hypoglycemic activity. Nateglinide, compared to repaglitinide, binds with a higher affinity to the SUR1 subunit and with a faster onset of action and a shorter duration of action. This agent is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP2C9, and, to a lesser extent, by CYP3A4. The parent drug and metabolites are mainly excreted in the urine and its half-life is about 1.5 hours.