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Acarbose

Sounds like 'ak-ar-bose'

Key points about acarbose

Acarbose is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Acarbose is also called Accarb®.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Acarbose is used to treat type 2 diabetes, together with exercise, good nutrition, weight loss and other lifestyle measures. It may be used alone or with other medicines for diabetes.

Acarbose works by slowing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates (sugars) in food you eat. This makes your blood glucose levels rise slowly when eating a meal.

To work properly acarbose must be taken with the first mouthfuls of food at the start of a meal.

Read more about type 2 diabetes and medicines for type 2 diabetes.

In Aotearoa New Zealand acarbose is available as tablets (50 mg and 100 mg).

The starting dose of acarbose is 50 mg, 3 times a day.
Depending on your blood glucose level, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to 100 mg, 3 times a day. Some people may need a higher dose.
Always take your acarbose exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much acarbose to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

Timing of your doses: Swallow your tablet with a drink of water at the beginning of a meal or, if you prefer, you can chew the tablet with your first mouthful of food. Acarbose should be taken 3 times a day, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don't take it between meals or with small snacks.
Missed dose: If you forget your dose with your meal, skip the dose and wait to take the next dose with your next meal. Don't take double the dose.
Keep taking acarbose regularly: To control your diabetes, you must keep taking acarbose every day.

Here are some things to know when you're taking acarbose. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Sucrose: Avoid eating sucrose-containing products such as sugar, soft drinks or lollies. They may cause stomach pain or diarrhoea (runny poo) if taken while you're on acarbose tablets. If you have low blood glucose don’t use sucrose to treat it because acarbose will slow down the absorption of sucrose. It’s better to use glucose.
Other medicines:
- Acarbose interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting acarbose and before starting any new products.
- If you’re taking acarbose with other diabetes medicines, such as insulin and/or sulphonylureas (glibenclamide, gliclazide, glipizide), together they can cause low blood glucose. Be careful until you know how these medicines affect you. Carry glucose with you and know the signs of low blood glucose and how to treat it.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Talk to your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or want to breastfeed.
Sick days: If you're sick and not eating, ask your healthcare provider for advice. They may recommend that you stop taking acarbose until you're better. Read more about diabetes sick day plan.
Monitoring: When you start taking acarbose you will need to have blood tests to check for any side effects on your liver.

Like all medicines, acarbose can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Bloating or gas in your tummy Diarrhoea (runny poo) Sore tummy	These are very common when you first start taking acarbose. Eating foods containing sucrose (sugar) with acarbose can make these symptoms worse. These usually go away with time. Tell your doctor if they bother you.
Nausea (feeling sick) Vomiting (being sick) Indigestion Loss of appetite	These are common. Tell your doctor if they bother you.
Signs of low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) such as feeling weak, faint, dizzy or irritable. You may get a headache, tremor (shakes) or blurred vision.	Very rarely, acarbose may lower your blood glucose too much. This is most likely to happen if you're taking acarbose with other diabetes medicines, especially insulin. If this happens, don't treat a 'hypo' with cane sugar (sucrose) as it won't work fast enough. Instead, you should take glucose. Glucose is available in tablets you can buy from your pharmacy. Tell your healthcare provider if this happens.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face and mouth, or difficulty breathing.	Allergy to acarbose is very rare. Tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116.
Signs of problems with your liver such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine or pain in your abdomen.	Liver problems are very rare. Tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116.