Acarbose: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What medicine is Acarbose?

Maybe you are wondering what kind of medicine acarbose is. Acarbose is a drug that is used together with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar can help prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, limb loss, and dysfunction. sexual.

Controlling diabetes can also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Acarbose works by slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrates you eat into sugar, so that blood sugar levels do not rise dramatically after eating.

Acarbose can be used with other drugs (for example, insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas such as glipizide) to control diabetes because they work in different ways.

How do you use acarbose?

According to MedlinePlus, as a tablet drug, acarbose taken three times a day at the first bite of each main meal. Make sure the dose of medicine you are taking is not less or even more than prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist anything you do not understand about this drug.

The dose of acarbose will be determined based on the patient's medical condition, body weight, and response to treatment. The dose of medicine you are taking may increase gradually. This is to determine how many doses are most effective for you. However, it is recommended that acarbose be taken no more than 300 milligrams per day.

For maximum results, you should drink acarbose regularly and don't miss the schedule. To make it easier to remember, you can make your own schedule every day. Take this medicine at the same time every day, so that over time this will become a habit.

For best results, continue to eat a proper diet, exercise regularly, and check your urine / blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor. You also should not share or give acarbose medicine with other people.

In order to get a better knowledge about diabetes and understand what acarbose is, you should learn more and consult a doctor. Starting from a basic understanding of diabetes, the treatment plan, including other recommendations such as diet and physical activity that must be done.

In addition, do not hesitate to carry out an in-depth medical examination by conducting laboratory tests and / or medical tests, such as:

• liver and kidney function tests
• test fasting blood sugar and blood glucose levels after meals
• hemoglobin A1c test
• complete blood count test

These tests should be done periodically to check for side effects and monitor your response to treatment. Have your blood sugar level checked regularly as directed by your doctor.

Follow carefully the dietary rules that your doctor gives you. It is very important to help control your condition and maximize the performance of this drug. Be diligent in exercising and checking blood and urine sugar levels. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store acarbose?

Acarbose is best stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light exposure and avoid putting it in a damp place. Do not store acarbose in the bathroom and do not freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product so as not to pollute the environment.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the acarbose dosage for adults?

Generally, the doctor will give you a dose based on the following:

• Your health condition when consulting a doctor
• Any other health problems you have
• Any other medicines you take
• How do you react to the drug acarbose

The dosage of this drug will not be the same for every patient. The following doses are the usual doses, but you may be given a different dose by your doctor. If so, keep taking it as directed by your doctor and do not increase or decrease the dose without your doctor's permission.

The dosages for adult patients with type 2 diabetes are as follows:

• Initial dose: 25 mg orally 3 times a day.
• Maintenance dose: 50 to 100 mg orally 3 times a day.
• The maximum dose for patients weighing less than 60 kg is 50 mg orally 3 times a day.
• The maximum dose for patients weighing greater than 60 kg is 100 mg orally 3 times a day.

What is the dose of acarbose for children?

This medicine should only be used in children on the advice of a doctor. In addition, the dosage for use of acarbose for children must be determined by the doctor.

In what forms is acarbose available?

Tablet, Oral: 25 milligrams, 50 milligrams, 100 milligrams.

Side effects

What side effects do acarbose drugs cause?

When used together with insulin or other types of drugs that work to treat diabetes, Acarbose can cause a drastic drop in blood sugar.

This medicine may also cause allergies. Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating, hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if after taking acarbose you have any of the following serious side effects:

• Severe stomach pain, severe constipation
• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• Easy body bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin or
• Nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects after taking acarbose may include:

• Mild abdominal pain, gas, bloating
• Mild diarrhea or
• Mild skin rash or hives.

A drop in blood sugar may occur if this medicine is used in conjunction with other type 2 diabetes medications. When blood sugar drops dramatically, symptoms that may occur such as:

• The head hurts
• Drastic mood swings
• Body sweating
• Numb lips
• The body shivered
• The eyesight becomes blurred
• Excess anxiety
• Headache
• Limp body
• Pale skin

Not everyone will experience these side effects. There may be some side effects experienced by some people but not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, do not hesitate to consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using acarbose?

Before using acarbose, be sure to inform your doctor and pharmacist of the following important points:

• If you are allergic to acarbose or other medicines.
• What prescription and nonprescription drugs you use. Especially drugs for other diabetes, such as digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics, estrogen, isoniazid, drugs for high blood pressure or colds, oral contraceptives, pancreatic enzymes, phenytoin (Dilantin), steroids, thyroid drugs, and vitamins.
• If you have or have ever had ketoacidosis, cirrhosis, or an intestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal obstruction.
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using acarbose, contact your doctor.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using acarbose.

Is acarbose safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Generally, less than 2% of the acarbose dose will enter the digestive tract of a pregnant and lactating mother. So it is almost impossible for acarbose to get to the baby through the breastfeeding process.

However, you should avoid taking this drug or consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding to avoid unwanted things.

Even so, there is no adequate research on the risks of using acarbose in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Interaction

What medicines may interact with acarbose?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although certain drugs should not be used at the same time, in certain cases, two different drugs can be used together, even if interactions are possible.

In this case, your doctor may change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Using acarbose with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you can use one or both drugs.

• Acetohexamide
• Alatrofloxacin
• Balofloxacin
• Chlorpropamide
• Ciprofloxacin
• Clinafloxacin
• Enoxacin
• Fleroxacin
• Flumequine
• Gatifloxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Gliclazide
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Grepafloxacin
• Levofloxacin
• Lomefloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Ofloxacin
• Pefloxacin
• Prulifloxacin
• Rufloxacin
• Sparfloxacin
• Temafloxacin
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Tosufloxacin
• Trovafloxacin Mesylate

Using acarbose with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs

• Acebutolol
• Alprenolol
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bevantolol
• Bisoprolol
• Bitter Melon
• Bucindolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Digoxin
• Dilevalol
• Esmolol
• Fenugreek
• Glucomannan
• Guar Gum
• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Linezolid
• Mepindolol
• Methylene Blue
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Moclobemide
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Nialamide
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Phenelzine
• Pindolol
• Procarbazine
• Propranolol
• Psyllium
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline
• Sotalol
• Talinolol
• Tertatolol
• Timolol
• Tranylcypromine
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with acarbose?

Acarbose should not be used while you are eating certain foods because food and drug interactions can occur. One example is alcohol.

When you have diabetes, consuming alcohol can cause you to experience a decrease or increase in blood sugar, depending on how often you consume it.

Meanwhile, if you take it together with this medicine, alcohol can cause a drastic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Therefore, discuss the use of this drug with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with the drug acarbose?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. To avoid unwanted conditions, tell your doctor in advance if you have other health problems, especially the following conditions:

• Diabetes or ketoacidosis
• Fever or
• Infection or
• Willing to run an operation or
• Trauma. Insulin is needed to control this condition
• Digestive problems or
• Inflammation of the intestine or
• Intestinal blockage or
• Other intestinal problems. The use of this drug should not be used
• Chronic kidney disease. Acarbose levels in the blood may increase, so this medicine should not be used
• Liver disease. Use of this drug can make your liver condition worse.

Overdose

What should I do if I overdose on acarbose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose of acarbose?

If you forget or accidentally miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if the time is nearing taking the next dose, skip the missed dose and take it at the usual time. Do not take excessive doses at one time.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.