Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Take acarbose with the first bite of a main meal, unless your
doctor tells you otherwise.
Your medication needs may change if you become sick or injured, if you have a serious
infection, or if you have any type of surgery. Your doctor may want you to stop taking acarbose
for a short time if any of these situations affect you. Do not change your dose or stop taking
acarbose without first talking to your doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood sugar will need to be
checked often. Your doctor may also need to do other blood tests on a regular basis. Do not
miss any scheduled appointments.
Take care to keep your blood sugar from getting too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or
are under stress.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them:
-
hunger, weakness, nausea, irritability, tremors;
-
drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision;
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confusion, trouble concentrating;
-
sweating, fast heartbeat;
-
seizure (convulsions); or
-
fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).
Keep a supply of oral glucose (dextrose) with you in case you
have low blood sugar. While you are taking acarbose, candy or table sugar (sucrose) may not
work as well as dextrose in quickly raising your blood sugar. Also be sure your family and close
friends know how to help you in an emergency.
Acarbose is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise,
and weight control. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get
your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store acarbose at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from moisture
and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take it with a meal). If it has
been longer than 15 minutes since you started your meal, you may still take acarbose but it may
be less effective than taking it with the first bite of the meal. Do not take
acarbose between meals, and do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. Overdose symptoms may include bloating, gas, or stomach discomfort.
In case of overdose, do not eat or drink anything containing carbohydrates for the next 4
to 6 hours.
What should I avoid while taking acarbose?
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking acarbose. Alcohol lowers blood sugar and may
increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Avoid taking a digestive enzyme such as pancreatin, amylase, or lipase at the same time
you take acarbose. These enzymes can make it harder for your body to absorb acarbose.
Products that contain digestive enzymes include Arco-Lase, Cotazym, Donnazyme, Pancrease,
Creon, and Ku-Zyme.
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