Details About Generic Salt ::  Acarbose

Main Medicine Class:: Antidiabetic   

(A-car-bose)

Precose

Class: Antidiabetic

 

Drugs Class ::

 Action Inhibits intestinal enzymes that digest carbohydrate, thereby reducing carbohydrate digestion after meals. This lowers postprandial glucose elevation in diabetics.

Indications for Drugs ::

 Indications Patients with NIDDM who have failed dietary therapy. May be used alone or in combination with sulfonylureas.

Drug Dose ::

 Route/Dosage

ADULTS: PO 25 mg tid with the start of each meal. Increase by 25 mg/dose at 4 to 8 week intervals according to response up to a max based on blood glucose response (max: 150/day if < 60 kg; 300 mg/day if > 60 kg).

Contraindication ::

 Contraindications Diabetic ketoacidosis; cirrhosis; inflammatory bowel disease; colonic ulceration; intestinal disorders of digestion or absorption; partial or predisposition to intestinal obstruction; conditions that may deteriorate as a result of increased intestinal gas production.

Drug Precautions ::

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category B. Insulin is recommended to maintain blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Lactation: Undetermined. Children: Safety and efficacy not established. Hypoglycemia: Acarbose does not produce hypoglycemia; however, hypoglycemia may develop if used together with sulfonylureas. Loss of blood glucose control: Certain medical conditions (eg, surgery, fever, infection, trauma) and drugs (eg, diuretics, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives) affect glucose control. In these situations, it may be necessary to adjust dose of acarbose and other antidiabetic drugs. Renal impairment: Acarbose not recommended.

PATIENT CARE CONSIDERATIONS

Drug Side Effects ::

 Adverse Reactions

GI: Abdominal pain; diarrhea; flatulence. HEPA: Elevated serum transaminases rarely associated with jaundice.

Drug Mode of Action ::  

 Action Inhibits intestinal enzymes that digest carbohydrate, thereby reducing carbohydrate digestion after meals. This lowers postprandial glucose elevation in diabetics.

Drug Interactions ::

 Interactions

Intestinal absorbents (eg, charcoal); digestive enzymes: May lower the efficacy of acarbose. Drugs that produce hyperglycemia (eg, corticosteroids, diuretics, thyroid preparations): May lead to loss of glucose control.

Drug Assesment ::

 Assessment/Interventions

• Assess renal function prior to starting medication.
• Therapy is monitored by periodic blood glucose tests.
• Check serum transaminases every 3 months during the first year of treatment.
• Assess for hypoglycemia if this medication is combined with a sulfonylurea.
• If hypoglycemia develops, use oral or parenteral glucose to increase blood glucose instead of sucrose (table sugar), since metabolism of sucrose is inhibited by acarbose.

OVERDOSAGE: SIGNS & SYMPTOMS   Increased flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort may occur

Drug Storage/Management ::

 Administration/Storage

• Take the medication at the start (ie, first bite) of each meal.
• Store < 25°C (77°F), in a tightly-closed container, protected from moisture.

Drug Notes ::

 Patient/Family Education

• Advise patient to take the drug with first bite of each meal. May be taken during the meal if not taken with the first bite. Do not take after meal is completed.
• Encourage patient to participate in regular physical activity and follow diabetic meal plan.
• Counsel patient on regular monitoring of blood glucose.
• Advise women of childbearing age that this medication should not be used during pregnancy. Insulin is preferred agent to control blood glucose.
• Advise patient/family that “cane sugar” (sucrose) should not be used to treat hypoglycemia reactions. Glucose or glucagon are necessary to increase blood sugar.
• Advise patient to inform health care provider if gas, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort occurs.

Disclaimer ::

The Information available on this site is for only Informational Purpose , before any use of this information please consult your Doctor .Price of the drugs indicated above may not match to real price due to many possible reasons may , including local taxes etc.. These are only approximate indicative prices of the drug.