Drug Action
Acarbose, an inhibitor of intestinal alpha glucosidases, delays the digestion and absorption of starch and sucrose; it has a small but significant effect in lowering blood glucose. Endocrine system
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Drug reference
Acarbose, an inhibitor of intestinal alpha glucosidases, delays the digestion and absorption of starch and sucrose; it has a small but significant effect in lowering blood glucose. Endocrine system
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Diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by diet or by diet with oral antidiabetic drugs ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: Initially 50 mg daily, then increased to 50 mg 3 times a day for 6–8 weeks, then increased if necessary to 100 mg 3 times a day (max. per dose 200 mg 3 times a day)
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Disorders of digestion or absorption . hernia (condition may deteriorate). inflammatory bowel disease. predisposition to intestinal obstruction
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May enhance hypoglycaemic effects of insulin and sulfonylureas (hypoglycaemic episodes may be treated with oral glucose but not with sucrose)
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→Appendix 1: acarbose
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▶Common or very common Diarrhoea (may need to reduce dose). gastrointestinal discomfort. gastrointestinal disorders ▶Uncommon Nausea. vomiting ▶Rare or very rare Hepatic disorders. oedema ▶Frequency not known Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). thrombocytopenia SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Antacids containing magnesium and aluminium salts unlikely to be beneficial for treating side effects.
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Avoid.
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Avoid.
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Manufacturer advises avoid in severe impairment.
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Avoid if eGFR less than 25 mL/minute/1.73 m2.
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Monitor liver function.
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Tablets should be chewed with first mouthful of food or swallowed whole with a little liquid immediately before food.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Tablet ▶Acarbose (Non-proprietary) Acarbose 50 mg Acarbose 50mg tablets | 90 tablet P £14.58 DT = £14.58 Acarbose 100 mg Acarbose 100mg tablets | 90 tablet P £25.29 DT = £25.29 BLOOD GLUCOSE LOWERING DRUGS › BIGUANIDES
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Antacids unlikely to be beneficial for treating side-effects. To counteract possible hypoglycaemia, patients receiving insulin or a sulfonylurea as well as acarbose need to carry glucose (not sucrose—acarbose interferes with sucrose absorption). Patients should be given advice on how to administer acarbose tablets.
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Initially 50 mg daily, then increased to 50 mg
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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