Precose (Acarbose)

General information

Precose is part of a class of diabetes drugs called alpha glucosidase inhibitors. It works by slowing the breakdown of starch (carbohydrates) from the food you eat into sugar, so that your blood sugar level does not rise as much after a meal. Precose is used to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. It may be used with other medications (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas such as glipizide) to control diabetes because they work in different ways.

Directions

Take Precose exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended starting dose for treatment of type 2 diabetes is 25 mg three times daily with the first bite of each meal. Precose can also be started at 25 mg once daily, slowly increasing up to three times daily. Your doctor may increase your dose slowly up to 100 mg three times daily. For people weighing less than 60 kg, the maximum dose is 50 mg three times daily.

Precautions

Before taking Precose you should talk with your doctor if you have liver problems, liver failure, cirrhosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), ulcers in the colon, intestinal obstruction or intestinal blockage, chronic intestinal (digestive) condition that affects digestion, kidney problems, kidney failure, any allergies. You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can increase the risk of developing low blood sugar. Avoid taking a digestive enzyme. It can make it harder for your body to absorb acarbose.

Contraindications

You should not take Precose if you are allergic to it, acarbose, or any inactive component of this drug, or if you have type 1 diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, ulcers of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction or intestinal blockage. Let doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have low fever, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, gas, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), headache, fainting, itching, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing, shaking, fast heartbeat, blurred vision, tingling of the hands or feet, dizziness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: calcium channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine, diltiazem, felodipine), seizure medications (phenytoin, felbamate, carbamazepine), birth control pills, asthma medications, thyroid medicines (synthroid, thyroid, levothyroxine), phenothiazines, steroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone), diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide), niacin, nicotine patches, digoxin, isoniazid, sulfonylureas (tolazamide, glipizide, chlorpropamide). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are gas, bloating, stomach discomfort.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.