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Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, such as acarbose, are used in conjunction with diet and exercise to help individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus maintain their glycemic control.
Use with caution.
Use with caution.
Alcohol use while taking ACARBOSE is advised to be avoided as it may result in elevated or lowered blood sugar levels.
ACARBOSE often does not affect your ability to operate machinery or drive a car.
Since there are no clinical studies on the use of ACARBOSE in pregnant women, it is generally not advised for use in this population. ACARBOSE is a Category B pregnancy medication.
When using ACARBOSE, do not breastfeed because it may end up in breast milk.
Acarbose is a complex oligosaccharide that lowers postprandial insulin levels by competitively inhibiting brush-border alpha-glucosidase enzymes' capacity to convert ingested carbs into absorbable monosaccharides.
A long-term illness that influences how the body uses glucose or blood sugar. When a person has type 2 diabetes, their body either produces insufficient insulin or rejects it. Increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, exhaustion, and blurred vision are some of the symptoms. Sometimes there could not be any signs at all. Insulin therapy, medicine, exercise, and food are all forms of treatment.
If you take more than the recommended dose of AC then it may cause temporary increase in flatulence (accumulation of gas), diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. It is advised to avoid meals or drinks containing carbohydrates for the next 4-6 hours.
AC does not cause hypoglycemia by itself though it has glucose-lowering effect. However, a fall of blood sugar levels in the hypoglycemic range may occur when given along with other antidiabetic medicines or insulin. If this occurs, consult your doctor who may modify your dose accordingly.
AC should be taken with your meals and should be swallowed whole with water or chewed with the first mouthful of food. The initial dose of AC is generally twice daily. The dose is then gradually increased to thrice daily.
Yes, diarrhea is a common side effect of AC. However, this does not affect everybody. Any food containing carbohydrates, such as household sugar (cane sugar) can cause diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. If diarrhea persists or becomes severe, then contact your doctor immediately.
AC should be avoided by patients who are allergic to it, have severe liver disease, or have inflammation or ulceration of intestine (eg Crohn’s disease). The use of AC should also be restricted in patients who have an intestinal obstruction (cramping pain, vomiting, obstipation, and lack of flatus). In addition, patients who have a large hernia or an intestinal disease where food is not digested or absorbed properly should avoid AC. Along with that, AC should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you forget to take a dose of AC, do not take the missed dose between meals. Wait for the scheduled dose and meal and continue taking your tablets as prescribed. Do not take the dose twice to make up for your forgotten tablets.
AC blocks the digestion of carbohydrates which causes accumulation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon. Bacterial fermentation of the accumulated carbohydrates causes intestinal gas, leading to flatulence and abdominal pain.
Msc in Food science & Nutrition
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