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In this Article

• What is acarbose (Precose)?
• What are the possible side effects of acarbose (Precose)?
• What is the most important information I should know about acarbose (Precose)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acarbose (Precose)?
• How should I take acarbose (Precose)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Precose)?
• What happens if I overdose (Precose)?
• What should I avoid while taking acarbose (Precose)?
• What other drugs will affect acarbose (Precose)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acarbose (Precose)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acarbose, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). You also should not use acarbose if you have:

• inflammatory bowel disease;
• a blockage in your intestines;
• a digestive disorder affecting your intestines;
• intestinal ulcer (of your colon); or
• cirrhosis of the liver.

Before taking acarbose, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease; or
• a bowel or intestinal disorder; or
• a stomach disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether acarbose passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take acarbose (Precose)?

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;
• 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.