Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Precose
- Antidiabetics, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Description
Oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor; minimal systemic absorption
Used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Agents in this class have only modest effects on A1C (i.e., mean 0.3% to 0.7% reduction)
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity to acarbose
Diabetic ketoacidosis, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, partial intestinal obstruction or predisposed to intestinal obstruction, known marked absorptive impairment of GI
Conditions that may deteriorate as result of increased gas formation in GI tract
Adverse Effects
- abdominal pain (19%)
- diarrhea (31%)
- elevated serum transaminases
- flatulence (74%)
- Gastrointestinal: Fulminant hepatitis with fatal outcome, ileus/subileus, jaundice and/or hepatitis and associated liver damage
- Hypersensitive skin reactions: rash, erythema, exanthema and urticaria
- Edema
- Thrombocytopenia
- Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis
Warnings
No clinical studies exist establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with acarbose or any other anti-diabetic drug
When diabetic patients are exposed to stress such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery, a temporary loss of control of blood glucose may occur; at such times, temporary insulin therapy may be necessary
Monitoring glycemic control with 1,5-AG assay is not recommended; measurements of 1,5-AG are unreliable in assessing glycemic control in patients taking acarbose; use alternate methods to monitor for glycemic control
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: B
Lactation: not known if crosses into breast milk, avoid using in nursing women
Maximum Dosage
150 mg/day PO if patient weighs <= 60 kg. 300 mg/day PO if patient weighs > 60 kg.
150 mg/day PO if patient weighs <= 60 kg. 300 mg/day PO if patient weighs > 60 kg.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Acarbose
tablet
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
