Acarbose tablets

What are acarbose tablets?

ACARBOSE (Precose®) lowers blood sugar in patients with diabetes. It slows the entry of certain sugars from food in the intestine into the body. Because it acts to reduce the absorption of sugars or starches in food, it must be taken with meals. Treatment is combined with a balanced diet and exercise. Acarbose may be used with some other diabetic medications. Generic acarbose tablets are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take acarbose?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• hiatal hernia

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• stomach or bowel disease, or obstruction

• an unusual or allergic reaction to acarbose, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take acarbose tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets at the start of a main meal, with a drink of water if necessary. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

If you develop severe vomiting or severe diarrhea that prevents you from eating meals, call your health care prescriber for advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forgot your dose at the start of your meal and you are still eating that meal, take your dose while you are still eating. Otherwise, skip the missed dose. Acarbose is not effective if not taken during a meal. Wait for your next dose at your next main meal, and take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with acarbose?

• acetaminophen

• charcoal

• cholestyramine

• colestipol

• digoxin

• neomycin

• other medicines for diabetes

• pancrelipase, pancreatin, amylase, or other digestive enzyme supplements

• warfarin

Many medications may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar, these include:

• alcohol containing beverages

• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include captopril, enalapril, lisinopril)

• antiretroviral protease inhibitors (examples include indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs

• beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)

• certain medicines used for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances

• chromium

• cisapride

• clonidine

• cyclosporine

• diazoxide

• epinephrine

• female hormones, such as estrogens, progestins, or contraceptive pills

• fenofibrate

• gemfibrozil

• glucagon

• growth hormone (somatropin)

• guanethidine

• isoniazid

• lithium

• metoclopramide

• male hormones or anabolic steroids

• medications to suppress appetite or for weight loss

• medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough

• niacin

• nicotine (including nicotine found in patches and gum)

• pentamidine

• phenytoin

• quinolone antibiotics, medicines used for infections (examples include ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin)

• some herbal dietary supplements

• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone

• sulfonamides, medicines for infection (examples include sulfamethoxazole)

• tacrolimus

• thyroid hormones

• water pills (diuretics)

Some medications can hide the warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely if you are taking one of these medications. These include:

• beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)

• clonidine

• guanethidine

• reserpine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking acarbose?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to monitor your blood sugar.

Acarbose does not cause symptoms of hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar) by itself, but if given with another antidiabetic medicine, it may increase their potential to lower blood sugar. If you do take acarbose in combination with other medications, you and family members must learn to recognize and how to treat symptoms of low blood sugar.

It is important to follow a diabetic diet when taking acarbose. This may help decrease some of the side effects (diarrhea, bloating, and gas). If you are following the diet and you still have severe diarrhea or gas, contact your prescriber.

If you are taking acarbose with other diabetic medications: Because acarbose prevents the breakdown of table sugar you must always keep a supply of glucose or dextrose tablets or solution readily available to treat low blood sugar events if they occur. Ask your pharmacist to help you find these products at the store.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

What side effects may I notice from taking acarbose?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare:

• skin rash or itching

• unusual tiredness

• weight loss

• yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark or brown color to the urine, or loss of appetite

In combination with other diabetic medications, (like glyburide, glipizide, metformin or insulin), acarbose may cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Contact your health care professional if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, which may include:

• anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, hunger, pale skin, nausea, fatigue, sweating, headache, palpitations, numbness of the mouth, tingling in the fingers, tremors, muscle weakness, blurred vision, cold sensations, uncontrolled yawning, irritability, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and loss of consciousness.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

These side effects with acarbose are usually minor but very common. They include:

• bloated feeling

• diarrhea

• stomach or intestinal gas or rumbling stomach

• stomach pain or discomfort

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep away from wet or moist areas, like the bathroom. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.