Acarbose

Acarbose is used to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Acarbose is in a class of medications called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. It works by slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates from the food you eat in the small intestine. Slowing food digestion helps keep blood glucose from rising very high after meals.

Acarbose comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take three times daily with the first bite of a meal. If you skip a meal, you need to skip the dose of acarbose.

Take acarbose exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of acarbose and gradually increase your dose.

Acarbose controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take acarbose even if you feel well. Do not stop taking acarbose without talking to your doctor.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking acarbose,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• you should know that some medications should not be taken with acarbose. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with acarbose. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting acarbose with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking acarbose, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• you should know the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with acarbose: certain digestive enzymes (amylase, pancreatin) and charcoal. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking acarbose. Do not start these medications while taking acarbose without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetic ketoacidosis, cirrhosis, or intestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease or bowel obstruction. Your doctor may tell you not to take acarbose.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, digestive issues, or surgery to your digestive tract.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking acarbose, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking acarbose.
• you should know that alcohol may cause a change in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking acarbose.
• you should know this medication may cause low blood sugar events if it is being used in combination with certain other blood sugar lowering medications. You should know the symptoms of low blood sugar (shakiness, nervousness, sweating, chills irritability, confusion, fast heart beat, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hunger, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, or feeling weak). If you have these symptoms, consume about 15 grams of carbs [ex. half cup of juice or regular soda] every 15 minutes until your blood sugar has returned to normal.

Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet, exercise regularly, and lose weight if necessary.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Remember that acarbose should only be taken with a meal. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Acarbose may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• gas
• diarrhea
• stomach pain

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment}:

• yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite, nausea, or pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• shakiness, nervousness, sweating, chills irritability, confusion, fast heart beat, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hunger, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, or feeling weak
• extreme confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures

Acarbose may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• increase in gas
• diarrhea
• stomach pain

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to acarbose.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking acarbose.

You should always wear a diabetic identification bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in an emergency.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

• Prandase^®¶
• Precose^®¶