Acarbose
About Acarbose
Acarbose belongs to a class of anti-diabetic drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors used to treat type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Acarbose may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that affects the way our body processes glucose. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced is unable to perform its function in the body (insulin resistance). Middle-aged or older individuals are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes.
Acarbose contains 'Acarbose' that works by inhibiting the action of intestinal enzymes that break down complex sugars and starches into simple sugars. Thereby delaying the absorption of sugar into the blood and reducing the abnormal rise in blood sugar levels after meals.
Take Acarbose with food and chew it, preferably with the first bite of each meal, or swallow it as a whole with water. Do not crush or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience flatulence (gas), stomach pain, or diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of Acarbose do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Acarbose or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Acarbose is not recommended for children. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Acarbose. Do not consume alcohol with Acarbose as it may increase or decrease blood sugar levels.
Uses of Acarbose
Medicinal Benefits
Acarbose is an anti-diabetic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Acarbose may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. Acarbose inhibits the action of intestinal enzymes that break down complex sugars and starches into simple sugars. Thereby delaying the absorption of sugar into the blood and reducing the abnormal rise in blood sugar levels after meals. It is essential to control blood sugar levels to avoid any further complications of diabetes, such as eye problems, kidney damage, eye damage and loss of limbs.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Acarbose
- Flatulence (gas)
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
Drug Warnings
If you have severe kidney or liver disorders, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (conditions causing swelling of the bowel, diarrhoea, bowel pain, vomiting and weight loss) and large hernia (bulging of a tissue or organ through an unusual opening) in intestine, please inform your doctor before taking Acarbose. Acarbose is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Therefore, pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to consult a doctor before taking Acarbose.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Acarbose may have interaction with other antidiabetic drugs (insulin, metformin), antibiotics (neomycin), heart-related medicines (digoxin), medicines used to treat high cholesterol (cholestyramine), and medicines with digestive enzymes (lipase, amylase), intestinal absorbents (charcoal).
Drug-Food Interaction: Acarbose may interact with household sugar (cane sugar) and cause diarrhoea or severe discomfort in the stomach. Therefore, avoid household sugar (cane sugar) and foods containing alcohol. Also, avoid alcohol intake while taking Acarbose as it may lead to high or low blood sugar levels.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with severe kidney or liver disorders, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (conditions causing swelling of the bowel, diarrhoea, bowel pain, vomiting and weight loss) and large hernia (bulging of a tissue or organ through an unusual opening) in intestine should consult a doctor before taking Acarbose.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Acarbose as it may cause high or low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
unsafeAcarbose is a Category B pregnancy drug and is generally not recommended for pregnant women as there is no clinical data available on use in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Acarbose as it may be excreted in breast milk.
Driving
safe if prescribedAcarbose usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Acarbose with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Acarbose with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing or swimming for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Invest at least 150 minutes of your week in exercise.
- Maintain a healthy body weight as obesity is also related to the onset of diabetes.
- Maintain a low-fat and a low sugar diet. Replace carbohydrates-containing foods with whole grains, fruits and vegetables as carbohydrates turn to sugars, leading to high blood sugar.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Keep taking Acarbose even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control. If you miss a dose, do not take a larger dose; consult your doctor for advice.
- Take short, frequent meals and avoid prolonged fasting when taking Acarbose. Beware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination, etc. Whenever you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, immediately consume 5-6 candies or 3 glucose biscuits or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar and also get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially during long travels.
- It is always better that your physician knows about any underlying conditions like kidney disease or liver disease, prior heart attack or alcohol intake before the doctor prescribes you Acarbose.
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Acarbose to monitor blood sugar levels and check enzyme levels in the blood.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that keeps the body away from properly utilizing insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or there is resistance to the action of insulin. Middle-aged or older are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be weight gain, while in rare cases, weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also includes nerve problems, kidney problems, damaged retina of eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and increased chance of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
Acarbose is used to treat type 2 diabetes, especially in patients whose blood sugar levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone. It works by inhibiting the action of intestinal enzymes that break down complex sugars and starches into simple sugars. Thereby delaying the absorption of sugar into the blood and reducing the abnormal rise in blood sugar levels after meals.
No, you are not recommended to take Acarbose with digoxin (used to treat heart problems) as co-administration of these two medicines may decrease the effectiveness of digoxin by reducing its amount in the blood. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately and used safely.
Yes, Acarbose may cause diarrhoea as a common side effect. Intake of household sugar (cane sugar) or foods containing it can also lead to diarrhoea or severe discomfort in the stomach. However, if the condition worsens or persist for more than 2 or 3 days, please consult your doctor.
No, Acarbose alone does not cause low blood sugar. However, low blood sugar may occur if Acarbose is taken along with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol intake, exercise more than usual, delay or miss snacks or meal. However, if you experience any signs of low blood pressure such as dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, dehydration or fainting, please consult a doctor.
You are not advised to take more than the recommended dose of Acarbose as it may cause Acarbose overdose resulting in increased flatulence (gas), stomach discomfort, diarrhoea. In case of overdose, avoid intake of drinks and foods containing carbohydrates for the next 4 to 6 hours. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, please consult a doctor.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Acarbose on your own as discontinuing Acarbose suddenly may cause recurring symptoms or worsen the condition. However, if you experience any difficulty while taking Acarbose, please consult your doctor so that an alternate medicine may be prescribed.
The side effects of Acarbose include stomach pain, diarrhoea and flatulence (gas). If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, Acarbose does not help in weight loss, and it should only be used to manage diabetes.
If you experience low blood sugar while taking Acarbose, you should take glucose. Avoid complex carbohydrates and sucrose as acarbose can delay the absorption of complex sugars.
Acarbose prevents the digestion of carbohydrates which causes the build-up of undigested carbohydrates in the colon (large intestine). Bacterial fermentation of the stored carbohydrates causes intestinal gas, leading to flatulence and stomach pain.
Acarbose should be taken with meals either chewed with the first bite of food or swallowed whole with water. Use as advised by the doctor.
If you forget to take a dose of Acarbose, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Patients who are allergic to Acarbose, have inflammation or ulceration of intestine (eg Crohn’s disease), severe liver disease, or intestinal obstruction (cramping pain, vomiting, severe constipation, and lack of flatus), large hernia or an intestinal disease where food is not digested or absorbed properly should avoid taking Acarbose. Also, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid taking Acarbose.
