Acarbose (Glucobay M) is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Normally, your pancreas releases insulin into the blood stream after you eat. Insulin is used by all the cells in your body to help turn the food you eat into energy. This is done by using glucose (sugar) in the blood as quick energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, insulin is still produced by your pancreas, but the amount of insulin produced may not be enough or your body may not be using it properly and you may still need more. Because of this, the insulin is not able to lower your blood sugar properly and you will have too much sugar in your blood. Acarbose (Glucobay M) lowers your blood sugar by preventing the breakdown of starch into sugar. It may be used alone or in combination with another type of oral diabetes medicine called a sulfonylurea.
Prescription: Yes
Warnings: Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, high ketone levels in blood or urine, heart disease, congestive heart failure, liver disease or you are using insulin, or other oral diabetes medications. A person should keep taking Glucobay M 50 Tablet 10's even if they are feeling that their blood sugar levels are under control as it may again spike the level of sugar in the blood. Try to take a dose at the right time so that you did not forget to take a dose, ask your doctor for advice. It may be possible that a person may develop lactic acidosis, which happens due to the overproduction of lactic acid in the blood so tell your doctor if you are noticing any symptoms of it. You should take small frequent meals and don't fast while being treated with Glucobay M 50 Tablet 10's. Try to notice if you are developing the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) like sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, dry skin, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, frequent urination, etc. If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, then immediately take 5-6 candies or honey/sugar and consult with a physician.
Medicine Interaction: If you use other drugs or over the counter products at the same time, the effects of Glucobay M 50 Tablet may change. This may increase your risk for side-effects or cause your drug not to work properly. Tell your doctor about all the drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are using, so that you doctor can help you prevent or manage drug interactions. Glucobay M 50 Tablet may interact with the following drugs and products:
Acarbose changes the bioavailability of digoxin, Anti-diabetic drugs, Charcoal, amylase, and pancreatin reduce effect of Acarbose, Furosemide, Prednisone, Salbutamol or terbutaline, Sulfonylureas or Insulin may increase hypoglycemia when coadministered with Acarbose, Thiazides, diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel-blocking drugs, and isoniazid may lead to loss of blood glucose control when coadministered with Acarbose.
Drug Schedule: Schedule H & G Prescription Drug
Side Effects: Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common:
Abdominal or stomach pain,
bloated feeling or passing of gas,
diarrhea.
How to Store it: Store below 30 C. Protect from light and moisture.
Precautions: Before using Glucobay M 50 Tablet, inform your doctor about your current list of medications, over the counter products (e.g. vitamins, herbal supplements, etc.), allergies, pre-existing diseases, and current health conditions (e.g. pregnancy, upcoming surgery, etc.). Some health conditions may make you more susceptible to the side-effects of the drug. Take as directed by your doctor or follow the direction printed on the product insert. Dosage is based on your condition. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Important counseling points are listed below.
Adhere to dietary instructions, Blurred vision, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Elevated serum transaminase, Hypoglycemia if taking Acarbose with a sulfonylurea or insulin, If taking Acarbose with a sulfonylurea or insulin, watch out for symptoms of low blood sugar, Symptoms like Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia and dark urine, Take this medicine three times a day before meals.
Missed Dose: In case you miss a dose, use it as soon as you notice. If it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your dosing schedule. Do not use extra dose to make up for a missed dose. If you are regularly missing doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you. Please consult your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for missed doses, if you have missed too many doses recently.
