Acarbose medication belong to Antidiabetic class. Acarbose inhibits intestinal enzymes that digest carbohydrate, thereby reducing carbohydrate digestion after meals. This lowers postprandial glucose elevation in diabetics.

Patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who have failed dietary therapy. Acarbosebe may be used alone or in combination with sulfonylureas, insulin, or metformin.

How to Take Acarbose

Take Acarbose exactly as prescribed by health care provider. Acarbose is avaliable in form of Tablets 25 mg, Tablets 50 mg, Tablets 100 mg. Acarbose may be used alone or in combination with insulin, sulfonylureas, or metformin. Administer prescribed dose at the start (with the first bite) of each main meal.

Dosage Instructions for Acarbose Drug

Adults: PO 25 mg tid with the start of each meal. To minimize GI side effects, some patients may benefit from more gradual dose titration. This may be achieved by initiating treatment at 25 mg daily and increasing the frequency to achieve 25 mg tid. Increase by 25 mg/dose at 4- to 8-wk intervals, according to response, up to a max based on blood glucose response (max, 150/day if no more than 60 kg, 300 mg/day if above 60 kg).

Contraindications of Acarbose

Diabetic ketoacidosis; cirrhosis; inflammatory bowel disease; colonic ulceration; intestinal disorders of digestion or absorption; partial or predisposition to intestinal obstruction; conditions that may deteriorate as a result of increased intestinal gas production.

Interactions of Acarbose with other drugs

Drugs that produce hyperglycemia (eg, corticosteroids, diuretics, thyroid preparations), phenothiazines, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel-blocking drugs, isoniazid: May lead to loss of glucose control. Intestinal adsorbents (eg, charcoal); digestive enzymes: May lower the efficacy of acarbose.

What are the Side Effects of Acarbose -

Like other medicines, Acarbose can cause side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Acarbose includ

* Flatulence (74%);

* diarrhea (31%);

* abdominal pain (19%).

* Elevated serum transaminases rarely associated with jaundice.

* Hypersensitivity skin reactions such as rash, edema (rare); decreased hematocrit; low serum calcium; low plasma vitamin B 6 levels.

Warnings and precautions before taking Acarbose :

* Acarbose plasma concentrations may increase relative to the degree of renal dysfunction.

* Ensure that serum transaminase levels are evaluated before starting therapy, every 3 mo for the first year of therapy, and then periodically thereafter. Inform health care provider if elevated transaminase levels are noted and be prepared to reduce the dose or discontinue Acarbose.

* The safety and efficay of Acarbose medicine have not been studied in children and adolescents.

* Ensure that patient is participating in a comprehensive management program that includes psychosocial support.

* Acarbose does not produce hypoglycemia; however, hypoglycemia may develop if used together with sulfonylureas or insulin.

* Certain medical conditions (eg, surgery, fever, infection, trauma) and drugs (eg, diuretics, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives) affect glucose control. In these situations, it may be necessary to adjust dose of acarbose and other antidiabetic drugs.

* Advise women to inform health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Acarbose. Insulin is recommended to maintain blood glucose levels during

What if Overdose of Acarbose ?

If you think you or anyone else taken overdose of Acarbose , immediately telephone your doctor or contact your local or regional Poisons Information Centre Seek medical attention immediately. You may need urgent medical attention. Increased flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort may be a sign of overdose of Acarbose.

What if Missed Dose of Acarbose ?

If you miss a dose of Acarbose medicine and you remember within an hour or so, take the dose immediately. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage Conditions for Acarbose :

Store Acarbose tablets at controlled room temperature (less than 77'F). Protect from moisture