Acarbose and Postprandial Glucose
Postprandial glucose is another way to study the effects of
diabetes drugs. Postprandial glucose levels are blood sugar levels after meals. In previous studies, people who took acarbose lowered their postprandial blood glucose by up to 90 mg/dL on average.
When and How to Take Acarbose
Some general considerations for when and how to take acarbose include:
- Acarbose comes in tablet form. It should be taken by mouth.
- Acarbose should be taken with the first bite of each main meal (three times a day).
- For acarbose to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Acarbose will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of acarbose your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- How well your diabetes is controlled
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with acarbose. However, not everyone who takes acarbose will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate acarbose well. When acarbose side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects of acarbose include:
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain).
(Click Side Effects of Acarbose to learn about the specific side effects of acarbose, including serious side effects to look out for.)
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