Uses of Acarbose

Acarbose is used to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus type 2) when a restricted diet alone or restricted diet plus other sugar lowering drugs do not work well enough.

Therapeutic Category

Acarbose: Antidiabetic agent (Glucosidase Inhibitor)

How Acarbose works

Acarbose helps in lowering down the abnormally high blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates. It acts on the intestinal walls and pancreas and stops the action and absorption of certain enzymes (alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidases). By preventing this activity Acarbose reduces postprandial (after meals) blood glucose and insulin levels.

Common side effects of Acarbose

• flatulence
• growling in stomach
• stomach pain or abdominal cramps
• feeling of fullness
• diarrhoea

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• in case of accidental overdosage

Health Tips for Acarbose

• Try to do more exercise regularly and incorporate healthy eating habits
• Inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are planning to have a baby