Acarbose
Brand names: Acarbose
Acarbose is a prescription medicine used to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates.
What it is used for
Acarbose tablets are used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
How it is taken
Take acarbose three times daily with the first bite of each main meal. Start with a low dose, usually 25 mg once daily, then gradually increase to 25 mg three times daily. Your doctor may adjust the dose every 4-8 weeks based on your blood sugar levels and tolerance. The usual maintenance dose is 50 mg to 100 mg three times daily. Do not exceed 100 mg three times daily. For patients weighing 60 kg or less, the maximum dose is 50 mg three times daily.
Warnings
- Acarbose can cause serious liver problems, including hepatitis and liver damage. Stop taking acarbose and call your doctor if you have symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or stomach pain.
- Rare but serious cases of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (gas-filled cysts in the intestine) have been reported. Symptoms include diarrhea, mucus discharge, rectal bleeding, and constipation. Stop taking acarbose and seek medical help if these occur.
- If you have low blood sugar while taking acarbose with insulin or sulfonylureas, treat it with glucose (dextrose), not table sugar (sucrose), because acarbose slows the digestion of sucrose.
Common side effects
- Flatulence (gas) – up to 74% of patients
- Diarrhea – up to 31% of patients
- Abdominal pain – up to 19% of patients
Interactions
Certain drugs may affect blood sugar control when taken with acarbose, including thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blockers, and isoniazid. Acarbose may also interact with digoxin, requiring dose adjustment. Do not take acarbose with intestinal adsorbents (e.g., charcoal) or digestive enzyme preparations (e.g., amylase, pancreatin).
Frequently asked questions
How should I take acarbose?
Take acarbose three times daily with the first bite of each main meal. Start with a low dose and increase gradually as directed by your doctor.
What should I do if I have low blood sugar while taking acarbose?
If you take acarbose with insulin or sulfonylureas, you may have low blood sugar. Treat it with glucose tablets or gel, not table sugar, because acarbose slows the digestion of sucrose.
What are the most common side effects of acarbose?
The most common side effects are gas (flatulence), diarrhea, and stomach pain. These may improve over time.
Can acarbose cause liver problems?
Yes, acarbose can cause serious liver problems, including hepatitis and liver damage. Stop taking acarbose and call your doctor if you have symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or stomach pain.
What is the maximum dose of acarbose?
The maximum recommended dose for patients weighing more than 60 kg is 100 mg three times daily. For patients weighing 60 kg or less, the maximum dose is 50 mg three times daily.
Other medications
Sources
- FDA label for Acarbose (DailyMed) — U.S. FDA / DailyMed
Last updated . Information is aggregated from official public sources and is not a substitute for professional medical care.