Precose
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Precose
PRECOSE®
(acarbose) Tablets
DRUG DESCRIPTION
PRECOSE® (acarbose
tablets) is an oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor for use in the management of
type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acarbose is an oligosaccharide which is obtained from
fermentation processes of a microorganism, Actinoplanes utahensis, and is
chemically known as O-4,6-dideoxy4-[[(1S,4R,5S,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]amino] α-D-glucopyranos yl-(1 →
4)-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 →4)-D-glucose. It is a white to
off-white powder with a molecular weight of 645.6. Acarbose is soluble in water
and has a pKa of 5.1. Its empirical formula is
C25H43NO18 and its chemical structure is as
follows:
 |
PRECOSE is available as 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets for oral use. The inactive ingredients are starch, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide.
What are the possible side effects of acarbose (Precose)?
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 a serious side effect such as:
- severe stomach pain;
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild...
Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Precose »
What are the precautions when taking acarbose (Precose)?
Before taking acarbose, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: very high blood sugar levels (diabetic ketoacidosis), severe liver disease (cirrhosis), intestine/bowel problems (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal blockage/ulcers, digestion/absorption disorders).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease.
You may experience blurred vision,...
Last reviewed on RxList: 3/14/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Additional Precose Information
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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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