Glucobay

The recommended adult dose of Glucobay (Acarbose) varies. The starting dose is 50 mg once daily, with a gradual increase in dose as needed to control blood glucose. The maximum daily dose is 100 mg three times daily, taken with the first bite of a meal.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Take Glucobay (Acarbose) regularly in order to keep blood glucose under control. If you forget a dose, start your regular dosing schedule again with your next meal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Do not stop taking Glucobay (Acarbose) without first consulting your doctor.

Store Glucobay (Acarbose) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause diarrhea; it may cause stomach ache; it may cause gas and bloating. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

50 mg
Each round, off-white, scored tablet, marked with "G50" on one side and the Bayer cross on the other, contains Glucobay (Acarbose) 50 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and silicon dioxide. Preservative- and dye-free.

100 mg
Each round, off-white, scored tablet, marked with "G100" on one side and the Bayer cross on the other, contains Glucobay (Acarbose) 100 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and silicon dioxide. Preservative- and dye-free.

Do not take Glucobay (Acarbose) if you:

• are allergic to Glucobay (Acarbose) or any ingredients of the medication
• have a condition that may worsen as a result of increased gas formation in the intestine (e.g., larger hernias)
• have a predisposition to intestinal blockage
• have chronic intestinal conditions associated with severe problems with digestion or absorption
• have colonic ulceration
• have diabetic ketoacidosis
• have inflammatory bowel disease
• have partial intestinal blockage

There may be an interaction between Glucobay (Acarbose) and any of the following:

• Cholestyramine
• corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone)
• digestive enzyme preparations (e.g., amylase, pancreatin)
• Digoxin
• diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide)
• estrogens (e.g., oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy)
• intestinal absorbents (e.g., charcoal)
• isoniazid
• nicotinic acid
• phenothiazines (e.g., promethazine)
• Phenytoin
• sympathomimetic medications (e.g., Epinephrine, Pseudoephedrine)
• Thyroid products (e.g., Levothyroxine)
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Glucobay (Acarbose). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Glucobay (Acarbose).

Decreased response: Over a period of time, blood glucose may be less easily controlled with Glucobay (Acarbose) or other diabetes medications because of worsening of diabetes. If Glucobay (Acarbose) fails to lower your blood glucose to target levels, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may stop and replace Glucobay (Acarbose) or have another blood glucose-lowering medication added to it.

Diabetes complications: Glucobay (Acarbose) (or any other antidiabetic agent) has not been shown to prevent the development of complications peculiar to diabetes, although the onset of such complications is delayed by good blood glucose control.

Diet: Glucobay (Acarbose) must be taken along with a proper dietary regimen and not seen as a substitute for diet.

Illness or stress: It is possible to lose control of blood sugar during illness or stressful situations such as infection, trauma, or surgery. Under these conditions, your doctor may consider stopping the medication and prescribe insulin until the situation improves.

Liver or Kidney Disease: If you have kidney or liver disease you should use caution while taking Glucobay (Acarbose) and should be closely monitored by your doctor.

Low blood sugar: Because of the way it works, Glucobay (Acarbose) will not cause low blood sugar when taken on its own. However, Glucobay (Acarbose) may increase the risk of low blood sugar caused by sulfonylurea medications such as Glyburide if taken at the same time. See information on glyburide for further details about signs and management of low blood sugar.

Sucrose usage: Increased use of sucrose (cane sugar) and foods that contain sugar or starch can lead to stomach problems (e.g., flatulence and bloating) as well as loose stools and, occasionally, diarrhea.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on the use Glucobay (Acarbose) by pregnant women. Glucobay (Acarbose) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Glucobay (Acarbose), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Glucobay (Acarbose) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Glucobay (Acarbose), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Glucobay (Acarbose) for children and adolescents less than 18 years old have not been established.

This medication is typically used 3 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, simply skip it and then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. This medication must be taken at the start of a meal with the first bite of food. If you skip a meal, skip your mealtime dose of this medication as well.