Acarbose

Should be taken with food. Take w/ 1st bite of each main meal.

Inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, partial intestinal obstruction or predisposition to intestinal obstruction; chronic intestinal disease associated with marked disorders of digestion or absorption; conditions that may deteriorate due to elevated gas formation in the intestine (e.g. hernia), diabetic ketoacidosis, cirrhosis. Hepatic impairment.

Patient exposed to stress-related states (e.g. trauma, fever, surgery, infection); may consider temporary insulin administration and treatment discontinuation in these patients if necessary. Not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <25 mL/min). Pregnancy and lactation. Concomitant use with intestinal adsorbents (e.g. charcoal) and digestive enzyme preparations containing carbohydrate-splitting enzymes (e.g. pancreatin, amylase). Monitoring Parameters Monitor serum transaminase levels every 3 months during the 1st year and periodically thereafter; postprandial glucose, HbA_1c (at least twice yearly in patients with stable glycaemic control or those meeting treatment goals; quarterly in patients with therapy change or those not meeting treatment goals; serum creatinine.

Significant: Increased serum transaminase levels. Rarely, hyperbilirubinaemia. Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Thrombocytopenia. General disorders and administration site conditions: Rarely, oedema. Gastrointestinal disorders: Flatulence, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia. Rarely, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, ileus or subileus. Hepatobiliary disorders: Rarely, jaundice, hepatitis. Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity skin reactions (e.g. rash, erythema, exanthema, urticaria).
Potentially Fatal: Fulminant hepatitis.

May reduce the effect when used with intestinal adsorbents (e.g. charcoal) and digestive enzyme preparations containing carbohydrate splitting enzymes (e.g. pancreatin, amylase). May potentiate the hypoglycaemic effects of insulin and sulfonylureas. May cause enhanced reductions of postprandial blood glucose and increased frequency and severity of gastrointestinal side effects with oral neomycin. Colestyramine may enhance the effects of acarbose. May affect the bioavailability of digoxin. May result in loss of blood glucose control when used with certain agents that produce hyperglycaemia (e.g. thiazides and other diuretics, phenothiazines, corticosteroids, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, Ca channel blockers, isoniazid).

Antidiabetic Agents

A10BF01 - acarbose ; Belongs to the class of alpha glucosidase inhibitors. Used in the treatment of diabetes.