Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Acarbose?
3. How Does Acarbose Work?
4. What is Acarbose Used to Treat?
5. Do You Need a Prescription for Acarbose?
6. What Are Common Side Effects of Acarbose?
7. What Should You Not Take With Acarbose?

Introduction

Acarbose is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is a drug that works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates in the body, which can help to lower blood sugar levels. Acarbose is a generic drug, meaning it is available in both brand-name and generic forms. In this article, we will discuss the cost of acarbose, as well as how it works, what it is used to treat, and any potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

What is Acarbose?

Acarbose is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is a generic drug, meaning it is available in both brand-name and generic forms. It is a drug that works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates in the body, which can help to lower blood sugar levels. Acarbose is usually taken before meals and is typically taken in combination with other diabetes medications.

How Does Acarbose Work?

Acarbose works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates in the body. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars. By slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates, acarbose can help to lower blood sugar levels.

What is Acarbose Used to Treat?

Acarbose is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is usually taken before meals and is typically taken in combination with other diabetes medications. It can also be used to help control blood sugar levels in people with pre-diabetes.

Do You Need a Prescription for Acarbose?

Yes, acarbose is a prescription medication and you will need a prescription from your doctor in order to purchase it.

What Are Common Side Effects of Acarbose?

The most common side effects of acarbose include diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, and bloating. Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, and headache. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor.

What Should You Not Take With Acarbose?

You should not take acarbose with any other medications that contain alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, such as miglitol or voglibose. You should also not take acarbose with any other medications that can lower blood sugar levels, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor before taking acarbose.

Indications for Acarbose

Acarbose is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of medications called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which work by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates. This helps to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high after meals. Acarbose is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.

Dosage and Administration Recommendations

The recommended starting dose of acarbose is 25 mg taken three times daily at the beginning, middle, and end of each main meal. The dose should be increased gradually over several weeks until the desired blood sugar control is achieved. The maximum dose is 100 mg three times daily. The dosage should be adjusted according to the patient’s blood sugar levels.

Common Drug Interactions

Acarbose may interact with other medications, such as insulin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, or other alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.

Warnings

Acarbose can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking this medication. Other side effects may include diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.

Clinical Pharmacology

Acarbose works by inhibiting the breakdown of carbohydrates in the intestine. This helps to slow the absorption of glucose from the intestine into the bloodstream, which helps to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high after meals.

Medication Guide

It is important to take acarbose exactly as prescribed. Do not take more or less than your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor first. Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects.

Conclusion

Acarbose is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates, which helps to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high after meals. It is important to take acarbose exactly as prescribed and to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Acarbose may interact with other medications, and it can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.

This article is intended to provide general information about acarbose and is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For more information, please consult your doctor or healthcare provider.

Sources:

1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Acarbose. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507845/
2. American Diabetes Association. Acarbose (Precose). https://www.diabetes.org/drugs/acarbose