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Acarbose |
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What is Acarbose and why is it prescribed? Acarbose is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes when high blood sugar levels cannot be controlled by diet alone. Acarbose works by slowing the body's digestion of carbohydrates so that blood sugar levels won't surge upward after a meal. Acarbose may be taken alone or in combination with certain other diabetes medications. Always remember that Acarbose is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor can lead to serious complications. If you are overweight, losing pounds and exercising are critically important in controlling your diabetes. Acarbose is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin. How should you take Acarbose? Follow your doctors directions for taking Acarbose. Do not take more or less of Acarbose than directed by your doctor. Acarbose is usually taken three times a day with the first bite of each main meal. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time. Taking Acarbose with your three main meals will help you to remember your medication schedule. Keep the Acarbose container tightly closed and protect it from temperatures above 77ºF. Store Acarbose away from moisture. Are there any Acarbose side effects? Acarbose side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. If Acarbose side effects do occur, they usually appear during the first few weeks of therapy and generally become less intense and less frequent over time. They are rarely severe. More common Acarbose side effects may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gas. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Acarbose? If Acarbose is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before taking Acarbose with airway-opening drugs (such as Proventil), Calcium channel blockers (heart and blood pressure medications such as Cardizem and Procardia), Charcoal tablets, Digestive enzyme preparations (such as Creon 20 and Donnazyme), Digoxin (Lanoxin), Estrogens (such as Premarin), Isoniazid (Rifamate), Major tranquilizers (such as Compazine and Mellaril), Nicotinic acid (Nicobid, Nicolar), Oral contraceptives, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Steroid medications (such as Deltasone and Prelone), Thyroid medications (such as Synthroid and Thyrolar), or Water pills (such as HydroDIURIL, Enduron, Moduretic). Are there any special warnings about Acarbose? Every three months during your first year of treatment, your doctor will give you a blood test to check your liver and see how it is reacting to Acarbose. While you are taking Acarbose, you should check your blood and urine periodically for the presence of abnormal sugar levels. Even people with well-controlled diabetes may find that stress such as injury, infection, surgery, or fever results in a loss of control over their blood sugar. If this happens to you, your doctor may recommend that Acarbose be discontinued temporarily and injected insulin used instead. When taken alone, Acarbose does not cause hypoglycemia, but when you take it in combination with other medications or with insulin, your blood sugar may fall too low. If you have any questions about combining Acarbose with other medications, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. If you are taking Acarbose along with other diabetes medications, be sure to have some source of glucose, such as Glutose tablets, available in case you experience any symptoms of mild or moderate low blood sugar. Symptoms of mild hypoglycemia may include cold sweat, fast heartbeat, fatigue, headache, nausea, and nervousness. Symptoms of more severe hypoglycemia may include coma, pale skin, and shallow breathing. Severe hypoglycemia is an emergency. Contact your doctor immediately if the symptoms occur. |
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