Drug Approvals
(British Approved Name, US Adopted Name, rINN)
International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, and Spanish): Acarbosa; Acarbosum; Akarboosi; Akarbos; Akarbosa; Akarboz; Akarboze; Bay-g-5421.
Pharmacopoeias. In Europe and US.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Acarbose). A white or yellowish, amorphous, hygroscopic powder. Very soluble in water practically insoluble in dichloromethane soluble in methyl alcohol. A 5% solution in water has a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Store in airtight containers.
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Acarbose). Produced by certain strains of Actinoplanes utahensis. Store in airtight containers.
Adverse Effects
Acarbose often causes gastrointestinal disturbances, particularly flatulence due to bacterial action on non-absorbed carbohydrate in the colon. Abdominal distension, diarrhoea, and pain may occur. Ileus has been rarely reported. A decrease in dosage and improved dietary habits may reduce these adverse effects. Hepatotoxicity may occur and may necessitate a reduction in dosage or withdrawal of the drug. Skin reactions have occurred rarely. Very rarely oedema has been reported.
Incidence of adverse effects. The manufacturers reported that adverse effects of acarbose were rarer in a postmarketing surveillance study than in previous clinical trials this was held to represent better tailoring of individual doses to patient tolerability.
Effects on the liver. Hepatocellular liver damage, with jaundice and elevated serum aminotransferases, have been reported in patients receiving acarbose. Symptoms resolved on stopping the drug.
Effects on the skin. Generalised erythema multiforme and eosinophilia occurred in a male diabetic patient 13 days after starting acarbose. The hypersensitivity reaction was confirmed by rechallenge.
Precautions
Acarbose is contra-indicated in inflammatory bowel disease, particularly where there is associated ulceration, and in gastrointestinal obstruction or patients predisposed to it. It should be avoided in patients with chronic intestinal diseases that significantly affect digestion or absorption, and in conditions which may deteriorate as a result of increased gas formation, such as hernia.
Acarbose is also contra-indicated in patients with hepatic impairment and liver enzyme values should be monitored, particularly at high doses. If hypoglycaemia should develop in a patient receiving acarbose it needs to be treated with glucose, since the action of acarbose inhibits the hydrolysis of disaccharides.
Breast feeding. In the absence of evidence, licensed product information recommends that acarbose should be avoided during breastfeeding.
Interactions
Acarbose may enhance the effects of other antidiabetics, including insulin, and a reduction in their dosage may be needed. Use with gastrointestinal adsorbents and digestive enzyme preparations can diminish the effects of acarbose and should be avoided. Neomycin and colestyramine may enhance the effects of acarbose and a reduction in its dosage may be required. Acarbose may inhibit the absorption of digoxin.
Pharmacokinetics
After ingestion of acarbose, the majority of active unchanged drug remains in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract to exert its pharmacological activity and is metabolised by intestinal enzymes and by the microbial flora. Ultimately about 35% of a dose is absorbed in the form of metabolites. Acarbose is excreted in the urine and faeces.
Uses and Administration
Acarbose is an inhibitor of alpha glucosidases, especially sucrase. This slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine and hence reduces the increase in blood-glucose concentrations after a carbohydrate load. It is given in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus either alone or with a sulfonylurea, biguanide, or insulin. Acarbose treatment may be started with a low oral dose of 25 or 50 mg daily to minimise gastrointestinal disturbance. It is then gradually increased to a usual dose of 25 or 50 mg three times daily, immediately before food. Doses up to 100 to 200 mg three times daily may be given if necessary. Some benefit has also been found when acarbose is used to supplement insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Acarbose has also been studied for the treatment of reactive hypoglycaemia, the dumping syndrome, and certain types of hyperlipoproteinaemia.
Impaired glucose tolerance. A prospective study of patients with impaired glucose tolerance concluded that acarbose significantly reduced the incidence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Preparations
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Glucobay
Australia: Glucobay
Austria: Glucobay
Belgium: Glucobay
Brazil: Aglucose Glucobay
Canada: Prandase
Chile: Glucobay
Czech Republic: Glucobay
Denmark: Glucobay
France: Glucor
Germany: Glucobay
Greece: Glucobay
Hong Kong: Glucobay
Hungary: Glucobay
India: Acarbay Asucrose Glubose Glucar Glucobay
Indonesia: Glucobay
Ireland: Glucobay
Israel: Prandase
Italy: Glicobase Glucobay
Malaysia: Dibose Glucar Glucobay Precose
Mexico: Glucobay Incardel Sincrosa
The Netherlands: Glucobay
Norway: Glucobay
New Zealand: Glucobay
Philippines: Glucobay Gluconase
Poland: Glucobay
Portugal: Glucobay
Russia: Glucobay (Глюкобай)
South Africa: Glucobay
Singapore: Glucobay
Spain: Glucobay Glumida
Sweden: Glucobay
Switzerland: Glucobay
Thailand: Glucobay
Turkey: Glucobay Glynose
UK: Glucobay
USA: Precose
Venezuela: Glucobay