• Management of type 2 diabetes in conjunction with dietary therapy; may be used with insulin or other hypoglycemic agents.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Cirrhosis
• Serum creatinine >2 mg/dL
• Lactation: Lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

• OB: Safety not established in pregnancy
• Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children
• Presence of fever, infection, trauma, stress (may cause hyperglycemia, requiring alternative therapy).

GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, ↑ liver enzymes.

Drug-Drug:

• Thiazide diuretics and loop diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid preparations, estrogens (conjugated), progestins, hormonal contraceptives, phenytoin, niacin, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blockers, and isoniazid may ↑ glucose levels in diabetic patients and lead to ↓ control of blood glucose.
• Effects are↓ by intestinal adsorbents, including activated charcoal and digestive enzyme preparations (amylase, pancreatin); avoid concurrent use.
• ↑ effects of sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents.
• May ↓ absorption of digoxin; may require dosage adjustment.

Drug-Natural Products:

• Glucosamine may worsen blood glucose control.
• Chromium and coenzyme Q-10 may ↑ hypoglycemic effects.

(Generic available)

• Tablets: 25 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg;

• PO (Adults): 25 mg 3 times daily; may ↑ every 4–8 wk as needed/tolerated (range 50–100 mg 3 times daily; not to exceed 50 mg 3 times daily in patients ≤60 kg or 100 mg 3 times daily in patients >60 kg).

Precose

• Lowers blood glucose by inhibiting the enzyme alpha-glucosidase in the GI tract. Delays and reduces glucose absorption.

• Lowering of blood glucose in diabetic patients, especially postprandial hyperglycemia.

Therapeutic Classification: antidiabetics

Pharmacologic Classification: alpha glucosidase inhibitors

Absorption: <2% systemically absorbed; action is primarily local (in the GI tract).

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Minimal amounts absorbed are excreted by the kidneys.

Half-life: 2 hr.

Glucobay

(effect on blood glucose)

• Instruct patient to take acarbose at same time each day. If a dose is missed and the meal is completed without taking the dose, skip missed dose and take next dose with the next meal. Do not double doses.
• Explain to patient that acarbose controls hyperglycemia but does not cure diabetes. Therapy is long-term.
• Review signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased urination; ketones in urine; loss of appetite; stomachache; nausea or vomiting; tiredness; rapid, deep breathing; unusual thirst; unconsciousness) with patient. If hypoglycemia occurs, advise patient to take a form of oral glucose (e.g., glucose tablets, liquid gel glucose) rather than sugar (absorption of sugar is blocked by acarbose) and notify health care professional.
• Encourage patient to follow prescribed diet, medication, and exercise regimen to prevent hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episodes.
• Instruct patient in proper testing of serum glucose and urine ketones. Monitor closely during periods of stress or illness. Notify health care professional if significant changes occur.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications.
• Advise patient to inform health care professional of medication regimen before treatment or surgery.
• Advise patient to carry a form of oral glucose and identification describing disease process and medication regimen at all times.
• Advise female of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
• Emphasize the importance of routine follow-up examinations.

aye-KAR-bose

NDC Code^*

• 0054- West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp
  • 0054-0140- Acarbose
    • 0054-0140-25- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0054-0140-25)

• 0054- West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp
  • 0054-0141- Acarbose
    • 0054-0141-20- 10 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (0054-0141-20) > 10 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK

• 0054- West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp
  • 0054-0141- Acarbose
    • 0054-0141-25- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0054-0141-25)

• 0054- West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp
  • 0054-0142- Acarbose
    • 0054-0142-25- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0054-0142-25)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-147- Acarbose
    • 23155-147-01- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-147-01)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-147- Acarbose
    • 23155-147-05- 500 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-147-05)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-147- Acarbose
    • 23155-147-10- 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-147-10)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-148- Acarbose
    • 23155-148-01- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-148-01)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-148- Acarbose
    • 23155-148-05- 500 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-148-05)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-148- Acarbose
    • 23155-148-10- 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-148-10)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-149- Acarbose
    • 23155-149-01- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-149-01)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-149- Acarbose
    • 23155-149-05- 500 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-149-05)

• 23155- Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 23155-149- Acarbose
    • 23155-149-10- 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (23155-149-10)

• 42291- AvKARE, Inc.
  • 42291-130- acarbose
    • 42291-130-90- 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (42291-130-90)

• 42291- AvKARE, Inc.
  • 42291-131- acarbose
    • 42291-131-90- 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (42291-131-90)

• 42291- AvKARE, Inc.
  • 42291-132- acarbose
    • 42291-132-90- 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (42291-132-90)

• 43353- Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC
  • 43353-908- Precose
    • 43353-908-09- 9000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (43353-908-09)

• 43353- Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC
  • 43353-951- Acarbose
    • 43353-951-09- 9000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (43353-951-09)

• 47781- Alvogen, Inc.
  • 47781-340- Acarbose
    • 47781-340-01- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (47781-340-01)

• 47781- Alvogen, Inc.
  • 47781-341- Acarbose
    • 47781-341-01- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (47781-341-01)

• 47781- Alvogen, Inc.
  • 47781-342- Acarbose
    • 47781-342-01- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (47781-342-01)

• 50090- A-S Medication Solutions
  • 50090-4115- Acarbose
    • 50090-4115-0- 42 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (50090-4115-0)

• 50090- A-S Medication Solutions
  • 50090-4115- Acarbose
    • 50090-4115-1- 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (50090-4115-1)

• 50090- A-S Medication Solutions
  • 50090-4116- Acarbose
    • 50090-4116-0- 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (50090-4116-0)

• 50419- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 50419-861- Precose
    • 50419-861-51- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (50419-861-51)

• 50419- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 50419-862- Precose
    • 50419-862-51- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (50419-862-51)

• 50419- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • 50419-863- Precose
    • 50419-863-51- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (50419-863-51)

• 63629- Bryant Ranch Prepack
  • 63629-5697- Acarbose
    • 63629-5697-1- 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63629-5697-1)

• 63629- Bryant Ranch Prepack
  • 63629-5697- Acarbose
    • 63629-5697-2- 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63629-5697-2)

• 63629- Bryant Ranch Prepack
  • 63629-5698- Acarbose
    • 63629-5698-1- 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63629-5698-1)

• 63629- Bryant Ranch Prepack
  • 63629-5698- Acarbose
    • 63629-5698-2- 90 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63629-5698-2)

• 63629- Bryant Ranch Prepack
  • 63629-5698- Acarbose
    • 63629-5698-3- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (63629-5698-3)

• 64380- Strides Shasun Limited
  • 64380-758- Acarbose
    • 64380-758-06- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (64380-758-06)

• 64380- Strides Shasun Limited
  • 64380-759- Acarbose
    • 64380-759-06- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (64380-759-06)

• 64380- Strides Shasun Limited
  • 64380-760- Acarbose
    • 64380-760-06- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (64380-760-06)

• 69543- Virtus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  • 69543-120- ACARBOSE
    • 69543-120-10- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69543-120-10)

• 69543- Virtus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  • 69543-120- ACARBOSE
    • 69543-120-11- 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69543-120-11)

• 69543- Virtus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  • 69543-121- ACARBOSE
    • 69543-121-10- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69543-121-10)

• 69543- Virtus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  • 69543-121- ACARBOSE
    • 69543-121-11- 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69543-121-11)

• 69543- Virtus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  • 69543-122- ACARBOSE
    • 69543-122-10- 100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69543-122-10)

• 69543- Virtus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  • 69543-122- ACARBOSE
    • 69543-122-11- 1000 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (69543-122-11)