Acarbose

Acarbose

Acarbose, Precose, Prandase, Glucobay

Precose, Abacus, Abacus 50, Acarb-25, 50 mg, Acearex-25, 50 mg, Acarwin, Acarwin-50, Acraz, Asucrose, Zebose.

(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-5-{[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-5-{[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4-dihydroxy-6-methyl-5-{[(1S,4S,5S,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohex-2-en-1-yl]amino}oxan-2-yl]oxy}-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy}-6

• Absorption: Oral (GI tract)-35%
• Metabolism: Intestinal enzymes and microbial flora
• Excretion: urine and faeces.

This drug will slow the actions of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes thereby slowing the appearance of sugar in the blood after a meal. Slowing food digestion helps keep blood glucose from rising very high after meals. 

Tablets: 25, 50 and 100 mg.

1. Abacus 50 mg,
2. Abacus-50,
3. Acarb-25, 50 mg,
4. Acearex-25, 50 mg,
5. Acarwin 25 mg,
6. Acarwin-50 mg,
7. Acraz 50 mg,
8. Asucrose 25 mg,
9. Glucobay 100 mg
10. Zebose 50 mg

Type 2 diabetes

Diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, liver failure, skin infections, increase in liver enzyme, decrease in vitamin B6, calcium levels and hematocrit.

• Acarbose may interfere with digoxin absorption thereby decreasing digoxin blood levels and its effect.
• Adding insulin or a sulfonylurea to acarbose therapy may lower blood glucose more than acarbose alone, the risk for developing hypoglycemia is greater when these drugs are combined. 
• Drugs that may increase blood glucose levels e.g.  steroids, thiazides,chlorpromazine, atypical antipsychotics, may antagonise the action of acarbose.
• Increased risk of hypoglycaemia with disopyramide.
• May interact with warfarin and affect INR.

Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation.

Acarbose should be stored at room temperature, 59-86°F (15-30°C) away from moisture and heat in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. 

Molecular weight

645.6

Molecular formula

C25H43NO18

CAS number

56180-94-0

Precautions

• Acarbose is not recommended in patient with cirrhosis.
•  Caution should be used when combining the acarbose with Insulin or sulfonylurea