Brand Names

Fore Safe Use

Your family doctor will want to check your progress at regular appointments , especially during the first few weeks you take this drug.

The best for you to follow carefully any instructions from your health care team about :

• Alcohol Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
• Other medication Do not take other medication during the time you are taking acarbose unless they have been discussed with your family doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medication such as aspirin and medication for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
• Counseling Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Always diseaseds with diabetes may need special counseling about diabetes drug dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur in diseaseds with diabetes during pregnancy.
• Travel Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.

In case of emergency There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem causing by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification - ID bracelet or neck chain at all times. Always carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medication.

Acarbose does not cause hypoglycemia - low blood sugar. However, low blood sugar can occur if you take acarbose with another type of diabetes drug, delay or miss a meal or snack, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or can't eat because of nausea or vomiting Symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness - passing out . Different people may feel various symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so that you can treat it quickly .

Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety; behavior change similar to being drunk; blurred vision; cold sweats; confusion; cool, pale skin; difficulty in thinking; drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat; headache - continuing; nausea; nervousness; nightmares; restless sleep; shakiness; slurred speech; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel or honey, or drink fruit juice to relieve the symptoms. Table sugar - sucrose or regular - nondiet soft drinks will not work. Always check your blood for low blood sugar Glucagon is using in emergency situations when severe symptoms such as seizures - convulsions or unconsciousness occur . Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe and needle and know how to use it. Members of your household also must know how to use it.

Hyperglycemia - high blood sugar may occur if you do not take enough or skip a dose of your antidiabetic drug, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or do not exercise as much as usual.

Symptoms of high blood sugar include blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased urination; ketones in urine; loss of appetite; stomachache, nausea, or vomiting; tiredness; troubled breathing - rapid and deep; unconsciousness; or unusual thirst.

If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your family doctor for instructions .