Are you struggling with Type 2 Diabetes? If so, your doctor may have prescribed you a pill called Acarbose. You may have many questions about what this medicine is, how it works, and what precautions you should take while taking it. Don't worry, we will explain everything clearly and simply today. After reading this, you will get answers to many of your questions.
What kind of medicine is Acarbose? How does it work?
Simply put, Acarbose is a medication used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. Its main function is to slow down the rate at which the carbohydrates in the foods we eat are broken down into glucose in our bodies. Imagine, when we eat something like rice, bread, or potatoes, the starch and sugar in it are quickly digested and mixed together in the blood, causing a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. This is not good for someone with diabetes.
So, what the Acarbose pill does is delay the breakdown of those carbohydrates. Then the sudden rise in blood sugar levels after eating is controlled. Most of the time, when you give this medicine, your doctor will tell you to control your diet and exercise . Because only when all of these things come together can you get good results.
The most important thing is to take this medicine at the start of a meal . That's when it works best.
Doctors may sometimes use this medicine for other things. If you have any questions about this, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
Before you start taking Acarbose, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions. Don't hide them, because they will only make things worse for you.
- If you have a condition called ketoacidosis (a serious condition caused by diabetes).
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have any condition in your intestines or stomach, such as a bowel obstruction .
- If you have had any previous allergies to acarbose, other medications, foods, or dyes.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
If you tell us these things accurately, the doctor can decide exactly whether this medicine is right for you or not, and how to give it.
How to use Acarbose tablets correctly?
This medicine is a pill that you take by mouth. You should take it with a glass of water. It is very important to take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed, at the time and in the amount prescribed.
- The pill should be swallowed at the start of a main meal . Imagine if you have three main meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you should take this at the start of each meal.
- Take your medicine at the exact times your doctor tells you. Don't take it at one time one day and another time the next day.
- Do not take more or less than the prescribed amount.
- Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
If you suddenly start vomiting profusely, or if you have a severe stomachache, or if it is so difficult to eat that you cannot eat, call your doctor immediately for advice.
If you are giving this medicine to young children , special care may be needed, so talk to your doctor about it.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (`Overdosage`)
If you think you've taken more medicine than you should, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call a poison control center immediately. Don't take this lightly.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share your medicine with others, even if they have the same illness as you.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Suppose you forget to take your pill at the start of a meal. If you are still eating that meal, take it right away. But if you have already eaten, skip the missed dose. It is not necessary to take this pill without a meal. When you start your next main meal, take only the pill that is scheduled for that meal. Never take two pills at once to make up for the one you missed.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
Acarbose can interact with some other medications, herbs, and vitamins. This means that taking it together with these things may change how Acarbose works or increase its side effects.
Here are some things like that:
- Charcoal ( given for some poisonings)
- Digestive enzymes that help digest food - for example, Amylase, Pancreatin
- Digoxin for heart disease
- Diuretics (medicines that promote urination)
- Female hormones - for example, estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
- Isoniazid for tuberculosis
- Some medicines for colds and breathing difficulties - for example , pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine
- Some medications for high blood pressure - for example , beta-blockers and calcium channel-blockers
- Nicotinic acid
- Phenothiazines, a class of drugs used to treat some mental illnesses - for example, chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
- Phenytoin (a medicine for epilepsy)
- Steroid medications - for example, Prednisone or Cortisone
- Thyroid hormones
This list is not complete. There may be more. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications (prescribed or over-the-counter), herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some things can interact with your medication.
What else should I be careful about when taking this medicine?
See your doctor regularly to check your progress while taking Acarbose.
- A1C test: This is a simple blood test. It shows how well your blood sugar levels have been controlled over the past 2-3 months. This test is usually done every 3 to 6 months.
- Learn how to test your blood sugar: You should learn how to check your blood sugar at home. You should also know the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and how to manage them.
- Keep some sugar handy for emergencies: Always keep something like glucose tablets with you in case your blood sugar drops. If you have a serious condition like low blood sugar, seizures, or loss of consciousness, let your family and friends know that if you give them food or drink at that time, they may choke. If that happens, you should seek medical help immediately.
- Tell your doctor if your blood sugar is high: If your blood sugar levels are consistently high, your medication dosage may need to be adjusted. So tell your doctor about it. You may also need to adjust your medication dosage when you are sick or when you exercise more than usual.
- Don't skip meals: It's not good for someone with diabetes to skip meals.
- Be careful with alcohol: Ask your doctor whether it is okay to drink alcohol.
- Be careful with cold medicines: Some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines may contain sugar or alcohol, which can affect blood sugar levels.
- Diabetes diet is very important: It is very important to follow a diabetes-friendly diet while taking this medication. This can help reduce some of the side effects such as bloating, flatulence, and gas. Even if you are following a proper diet, if you experience severe diarrhea or gas, see your doctor.
- Wear a medical ID card: Wearing a medical ID bracelet or chain that contains details about your medical condition, the medications you are taking, and the dosage is very important in case of an emergency.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like all medicines, Acarbose can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some people get them.
Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately:
If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
- Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, red spots on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Symptoms of liver injury: Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and unusual tiredness.
Side effects that do not usually require medical advice, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome:
These are usually not serious and will subside in a few days. But if they persist or bother you a lot, tell your doctor.
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Stomach pain
If you experience any other side effects not on this list, ask your doctor about them as well.
Where should I keep my medicine?
- Keep it out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature, below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Protect from moisture. Keep the medicine bottle/packet tightly closed.
- Do not use expired medications. Throw them away.
Finally, take-home message:
Acarbose is a good medicine that helps control type 2 diabetes. But to get the most out of it, you need to take the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you. You also need to control your diet and exercise.
If you have any questions or concerns about this medication or your diabetes, don't be afraid to ask your doctor. They are there to help you.
Remember, living with diabetes can be challenging, but if managed properly, you can be healthy and happy.
I hope this information is useful to you. I wish you good health!
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