Acarbose Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Acarbose Tablet (generic name: Acarbose) is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It works with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels that rise after meals. It may be used alone or combined with other diabetes medicines such as insulin, metformin, or sulfonylureas.

What is Acarbose Tablet

Acarbose is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels after meals.

Acarbose Tablet uses

• Treats type 2 diabetes in adults, used alone or with other diabetes medicines
• Used as an add-on to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control

Benefits of Acarbose Tablet

• Lowers blood sugar spikes after meals
• Can be combined with other diabetes medicines like insulin, metformin, or sulfonylureas for added effect
• Does not cause low blood sugar when used alone

How Acarbose Tablet works

Acarbose blocks an intestinal enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into sugar. This slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates from food, so blood sugar rises more slowly after meals.

Acarbose Tablet dosage

Take by mouth with a glass of water, at the start of a main meal, with the first bite of food. Swallow the tablet whole with water immediately before a meal, or chew it with the first mouthful of food. Taking it too early before eating (such as 15 minutes before) reduces how well it works. Avoid sugar-containing drinks while on this medicine. Doses are usually increased gradually over time.

If you miss a dose at the start of a meal but are still eating, take it right away; otherwise skip it and take your next dose at your next main meal—do not double up. Do not take at night without food, since it will not work properly and could cause side effects. Use in children is not established; talk to your care team about use in children. If you need a fasting blood test, skip your dose until after the blood is taken and you are ready to eat.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Acarbose Tablet

Common

• Gas (flatulence)
• Stomach pain or discomfort, bloating
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache, dizziness

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction: swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, itchy skin rash or hives
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas: headache, dizziness, confusion, sweating, hunger, irritability, shakiness
• Liver problems: yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, severe loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting that doesn't go away, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (gas-filled cysts in the intestine): diarrhea, mucus discharge, rectal bleeding, constipation

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use acarbose if you have diabetic ketoacidosis, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, colon ulcers, or a bowel blockage.
• Serious liver problems, including rare fatal cases of fulminant hepatitis, have been reported with acarbose use.
• There have been rare reports of a serious bowel condition called pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis linked to acarbose, which can cause serious complications.
• If you have severe vomiting or diarrhea that stops you from eating meals, contact your care team for advice.
• If you take too much acarbose, contact poison control or go to an emergency room right away.
• Acarbose is not recommended during pregnancy because its safety has not been established. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Acarbose is not recommended while breastfeeding because its safety has not been established.
• People with kidney disease may not be able to take acarbose, or should consult their doctor first. Acarbose is not recommended in patients with significant kidney impairment.
• Acarbose should not be used by people with cirrhosis or severe liver disease.
• Drinking alcohol while taking acarbose may increase the risk of low blood sugar.

Storage

• Store at room temperature below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F)
• Protect from moisture
• Keep container tightly closed
• Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date
• Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight
• Keep this medication away from children
• Take the medication to a medication take-back program, or check the label to see if it should be thrown in the garbage or flushed; if trash is safe, mix with cat litter, dirt, or coffee grounds, seal in a bag, and put in the trash
• Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or itchy rash all over the body.
• Seek medical advice immediately if you notice signs of liver problems, such as dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or ongoing nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of low blood sugar, since you may not be able to safely treat yourself if you become confused.

Alternatives

• Metformin
• Sitagliptin
• Dapagliflozin