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You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking acarbose with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:

• isoniazid;

• digoxin;

• niacin, nicotine patches or gum;

• diuretics (water pills);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• phenothiazines (Compazine and others);

• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);

• birth control pills and other hormones;

• seizure medications (Dilantin and others);

• cold or asthma medications;

• diet pills, stimulants, or medicines to treat ADHD; or

• a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect your blood sugar or interact with acarbose. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these liver symptoms:

• low fever;

• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach pain, gas, bloating;

• diarrhea; or

• mild skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.