Review Drug

Brand name: Precose , Rebose, Glucobay, Glucor, Glucobay

Used in the following combined preparations: None

General Information

Acarbose is a drug that is used to treat diabetes not adequately controlled by diet alone or diet with oral drugs. It is the first product in a class of drugs known as glucosidase inhibitors. This drug helps with control of diabetes and should not be used as a substitute for a good diet or diabetic therapy.
Acarbose works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates (complex sugars) from the diet, thereby reducing the abnormally high blood sugar levels that occur after each meal. In order to counteract possible hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), people receiving insulin or a sulphonylurea as well as acarbose need to carry glucose (also known as dextrose), rather than ordinary sugar (sucrose).

Quick Reference

Drug group
Drug used to treat diabetes

Overdose danger rating
Medium

Dependence rating
Low

Prescription needed
Yes

Available as generic
No

Information For Users

Your drug prescription is tailored for you. Do not alter dosage without checking with your doctor.

How taken

Tablets.
Frequency and timing of doses
3 x daily with or immediately before food.
Adult dosage range
150-300mg daily (occasionally, up to 600mg may be prescribed).
Onset of effect
1-2 hours.
Duration of action
4-6 hours.

Diet advice
Adhere to the diet prescribed by your doctor. Avoid sugar (sucrose) to reduce flatulence.
Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.
Missed dose
Do not take the tablets between meals but take your next scheduled dose as usual.
Stopping the drug
Do not stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor. Stopping abruptly may result in worsening of diabetic control.
Exceeding the dose
If you accidentally exceed the dose, avoid carbohydrate-containing food and drink for 4 to 6 hours. Notify your doctor.

Special Precautions

Be sure to tell your doctor if:
You have long-term liver or kidney problems.
You have inflammatory bowel disease.
You have a hernia.
You have had previous abdominal surgery.
You are taking other medications.
Pregnancy
Not usually prescribed. Safety in pregnancy not established. Discuss with your doctor.
Breast-feeding
Not usually prescribed. Safety in breast-feeding not established.
Discuss with your doctor.
Infants and children
Not recommended.
Over 60
No known problems.
Driving and hazardous work
No known problems.
Alcohol
No special problems.

Possible Adverse Effects

Flatulence and gastric adverse effects, which are not treatable with antacids, are common in the first few days or weeks after starting treatment. However, with continued treatment and adherence to prescribed diet, these will normally disappear.

Interactions

Charcoal and digestive enzymes These may reduce the effect of acarbose. Cholestyramine may enhance the effects of acarbose.

Prolonged Use

No special problems.