Acarbose

Generical name: acarbose
Name of the brand: Precose
Dosage formats: oral tablet (100 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg)
Drug class: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

What is Acarbose?

Acarbose reduces the digestion of carbohydrates by the body. This helps maintain the blood sugar level.

Acarbose is used in conjunction with exercise and diet to combat the condition of type 2 diabetes. Acarbose can be utilized in conjunction alongside insulin and other drugs you take in pill form.

Acarbose is also employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guideline.¶

Warnings and precautions

Acarbose should not be used when you suffer from an inflammatory bowel condition such as an ulcer or blockage of your intestines or liver, or liver cirrhosis. Don’t use acarbose if you are suffering from a condition of ketoacidosis due to diabetes (call your doctor to seek treatments with insulin).

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

It is not recommended to use acarbose in the event that you are allergic to the substance, or suffer from:

IBD;
A blockage within your intestines.
a digestive disorder affecting your intestines;
Ulcers in your intestinal tract (of the colon);
cirrhosis of the liver or
diabetes ketoacidosis (call your doctor to get an insulin treatment).

To ensure that acarbose is appropriate for you, consult your physician if you suffer from:

liver disease;
kidney disease;
A bowel or intestinal problem or
a stomach disorder.

Acarbose should not be thought to harm the unborn baby. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.

It is unclear if Acarbose can be found in breast milk , or the risk to the nursing infant. Do not breastfeed when you are taking Acarbose.

Acarbose is not permitted for use by any person less than 18 years old.

How to take Acarbose?

Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take this medication in smaller or larger doses or for longer than prescribed.

You should take acarbose at the first bite after a principal meal except if your physician informs you otherwise.

Your blood sugar level will have to be monitored regularly as well as you may require additional blood tests in the doctor’s office.

If you are taking acarbose along with insulin or any other diabetes medication it is possible that your blood sugar level drop to dangerous levels.

Blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia) can be experienced by anyone with diabetes. The symptoms include hunger, headache sweating, anxiety, confusion, dizziness or feeling unsteady. Always carry a supply of dextrose (D-glucose) to hand in the event of low blood sugar levels. If you are taking acarbose medication, dextrose will be more effective than table sugar when treating hypoglycemia. Dextrose sources include dates, honey or raisins, dried prunes, plums grapes as well as glucose tablets. Make sure your family members and close family members know how to assist you in case of emergency.

If you are suffering from severe hypoglycemia that makes it difficult to consume food or drink, consider the glucagon injection. Your physician can recommend an emergency glucagon injection kit and instruct you on how to utilize it.

Be aware of indications that indicate excessive glucose levels (hyperglycemia) including an increase in thirst, more frequent urine output, hunger dry mouth, fruity breath smell poor vision, dry and flaky skin as well as weight gain.

Be sure to check your blood sugar levels when you are under tension or illness, travel, medical emergency or surgery intense exercise or when you drink alcohol or avoid meals. These can affect the levels of your glucose and your dosage requirements could alter. Don’t alter your dose of medication or your schedule with your doctor’s permission.

Acarbose is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan which may include exercise, diet and weight management, as well as regular blood sugar tests, and medical treatment that is specific to you. Follow the instructions of your physician precisely.

Keep the bottle at room temperature, free of heat and moisture. Close the bottle when not being used.

If I don’t take the dose?

Do not miss the dose when you remember (be sure to do it before the meal). If it’s been more that 15 mins since the time you began your meal, you could still be taking acarbose, but it could be less effective than taking it after the first bite of your meal. Do not take acarbose during meals, and don’t use a second medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How do I react if take too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact toll-free the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

In the event of an overdose, you should not eat or drink anything that contains carbohydrates during the up to six hours.

What should I stay clear of while taking Acarbose?

Do not drink alcohol. It could lower blood sugar levels.

Do not take digestive enzymes such as amylase, pancreatin or lipase at the when you take Acarbose. These enzymes may cause problems for you to absorb the acarbose. The products that contain digestion enzymes are Arco-Lase, Cotazym, Donnazyme, Pancrease, Creon, and Ku-Zyme.

Acarbose side effects

Seek medical attention immediately If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction such as asthma; hives and swelling of your lips, face or tongue.

Consult your physician immediately If you suffer from:

severe constipation severe;
extreme stomach pain, diarrhea that’s liquid or bloody
simple bleeding, unusual bruising (nose vagina, mouth or the rectum) either red or purple small spots on your skin and
liver issues–nausea, stomach discomfort, itching, fatigue feeling and loss of appetite. black stools, dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), chest pain.

Common side effects could be:

stomach discomfort, gas, bloating;
mild diarrhea moderate diarrhea
A mild rash on the skin or itching.

This isn’t a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Acarbose dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

Dose-independently based on effectiveness and tolerance:

Initial dosage: 25 mg orally three times a day.
Adjust dosage between 4 and 8-week intervals, based on the efficacy and tolerance
Dosage for maintenance 50-100 mg orally, 3 times per day.
The maximum dose is: of 60 kilograms or less: 50 mg taken orally three times per day. If you weigh more than 60 kg 100 mg orally three times per day.

Comments:
Take it at the beginning (with the first bite) of every main meal. Patients must adhere to a diet for diabetics to limit GI adverse negative effects.
Some patients can are benefited by beginning at 25 mg daily, with a subsequent gradual increase to 3 times a day to reduce GI adverse effects.
If no further reduction in postprandial HbA1c or glucose is noticed with titration at 100 mg 3 times per day, think about reducing the dosage.

Use as an adjunct to exercise and diet to increase glycemic control those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What other drugs can impact acarbose?

It is possible to suffer from the condition of hyperglycemia (high levels of blood sugar) in the event that you are taking Acarbose in conjunction with other drugs which can increase blood sugar levels, including:

Isoniazid (for the treatment of tuberculosis);
Niacin (Advisor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo Niacin and more) nicotine patches, or gum
birth hormones and other birth control pills;
diuretic or “water pills”;
Heart or blood pressure medication;
oral diabetes medication or insulin;
Diet pills, stimulants, or other medicines for treating allergies, colds, asthma or other respiratory conditions;
Phenothiazines (Compazine and other);
seizure medicines (Dilantin and other);
steroids (prednisone and other) or
thyroid medication (Synthroid and other).

This list isn’t complete. Other drugs can be incompatible with acarbose, such as prescription and over-the counter medicines as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. There are not all interactions mentioned in this drug guide.

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