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 contains 'Acarbose', which works by inhibiting the action of intestinal enzymes that break down complex sugars and starches into simple sugars. This delays the absorption of sugar into the blood and reduces the abnormal rise in blood sugar levels after meals.
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.
Uses of Acarbose
Medicinal Benefits
- Acarbose is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, especially in patients who do not respond adequately to diet and exercise alone.
- It slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. This helps prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar levels after meals, making it effective in managing postprandial hyperglycemia (high blood sugar after eating).
- Acarbose can be prescribed as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic medications, depending on the patient’s condition.
- By maintaining better glycemic control, Acarbose helps reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications like retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), neuropathy (nerve damage), and cardiovascular diseases.
Directions for Use
- Take Acarbose with your meal or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Acarbose can be chewed with your first bite of food or swallowed with water.
- Do not crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Acarbose
- Flatulence (gas)
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Acarbose if you are allergic to any of its components.
- If you have severe kidney or liver disorders, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or a hernia (bulging of a tissue or organ through an unusual opening) in the 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.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Acarbose may have interactions 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: No interactions found.
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 the 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 low-sugar diet. Replace carbohydrate-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, 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.
- 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 from properly utilising 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 individuals 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 the eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and an 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.
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.
Acarbose works by inhibiting the action of intestinal enzymes that break down complex sugars and starches into simple sugars. This delays the absorption of sugar into the blood and reduces the abnormal rise in blood sugar levels after meals.
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 persists 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 meals. 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, and 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.
