Acarbose

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
 
  • Liver problems, including liver failure or cirrhosis
  • A history of diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening condition that may occur with uncontrolled diabetes)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
  • Ulcers in the colon
  • Intestinal obstruction or intestinal blockage
  • A chronic intestinal (digestive) condition that affects digestion
  • Kidney problems, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Acarbose for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does It Work?

Acarbose is part of a class of diabetes drugs called alpha glucosidase inhibitors. The medicine slows the digestion of carbohydrates from the diet, which helps to decrease the rise in blood sugar that usually happens after meals.
 

Effects of Acarbose

There have been several studies looking at the effects of acarbose for type 2 diabetes.
(Acarbose Continued: Page 3)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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