Acarbose+metformin
About
Acarbose+metformin belongs to the category of medicines called 'anti-diabetic' primarily used for the management and treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in persons whose sugar levels are too high and cannot be only controlled by dieting and exercising. Type 2 diabetes is a condition which occurs when there is either less insulin or available insulin is not properly utilized by our body cells for lowering raised blood glucose. It is the most common type of diabetes accounting for around 90% of total diabetes cases found commonly in middle-aged people. So it is also called as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Acarbose+metformin contains two medicines namely: 'Metformin' and 'Acarbose'. Metformin is a 'biguanides' that works by reducing the amount of blood sugar released in the blood stream by the liver thereby making body respond in a better way to insulin. On the other hand, 'Acarbose; is an ‘alpha glucosidase inhibitor’ which works by slowing down the action of intestinal enzymes responsible for the digestion of complex sugars/glucose thereby slowing and reducing the absorption of sugar into the blood after every meal.
Take Acarbose+metformin as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend you how often you take Acarbose+metformin based on your medical condition. Some people may experience some unpleasant effects in the beginning of the treatment with Acarbose+metformin such as increased wind, rumbling in your stomach and abdominal cramps which happen as the body is adjusting to the new medicine. However, if these unpleasant effects continue for more than days or become severe or experience diarrhoea, then seek medical attention immediately.
If you are hypersensitive to any of the components present in these medicines, then please tell your doctor before taking this drug. Acarbose+metformin is not allowed to use in children. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to be pregnant, then tell your doctor before they prescribe this medicine to you. Limit your alcohol consumption with Acarbose+metformin as alcohol may cause a rapid increase or decrease in blood sugar levels.
Uses of Acarbose+metformin
Medicinal Benefits
Acarbose+metformin is an anti-diabetic drug, indicated in the treatment of type 2 diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). This medicine is primarily prescribed to persons whose blood sugar levels are high and is even not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Acarbose+metformin consists of Acarbose and Metformin, used for controlling raised blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients. Acarbose is an ‘alpha-glucosidase inhibitor’ responsible for the inhibition of intestinal enzymes that delays the digestion of carbohydrates taken through the meal. Metformin belongs to a group of medications called 'biguanides' that works by improving glucose tolerance in patients dealing with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the intestinal absorption of glucose, and thus increases the utilization of glucose. Together it avoids the additional risk of disease associated with diabetes such as eye problems (diabetes retinopathy), kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy), nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), diabetic foot ulcer, delayed wound healing and other diabetic complications.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Acarbose+metformin
- Flatulence (gas)
- Abdominal discomfort
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, high ketone levels in blood or urine, heart disease, congestive heart failure, liver disease or you are using insulin, or other oral diabetes medications. A person should keep taking Acarbose+metformin even if they are feeling that their blood sugar levels are under control as it may again spike the level of sugar in the blood. Try to take a dose at the right time so that you did not forget to take a dose, ask your doctor for advice. It may be possible that a person may develop lactic acidosis, which happens due to the overproduction of lactic acid in the blood so tell your doctor if you are noticing any symptoms of it. You should take small frequent meals and don't fast while being treated with Acarbose+metformin. Try to notice if you are developing the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) like sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, dry skin, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, frequent urination, etc. If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, then immediately take 5-6 candies or honey/sugar and consult with a physician.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Acarbose+metformin needs not to be used with other antibiotics (neomycin), heart-related medicines (digoxin), antidiabetic drugs (metformin), drugs used to treat high cholesterol (cholestyramine), and medications for digestive enzymes (lipase, pancreatin, amylase), and intestinal absorbents (charcoal).
Drug- Food Interaction: Acarbose+metformin may interact with household sugar and cause abdominal discomfort and stomach upset. Therefore one should avoid consuming foods rich in sugar. Additionally, avoid alcohol consumption while taking Acarbose+metformin as it may spike the levels of sugar in blood or cause low blood sugar levels.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Persons dealing with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (conditions causing swelling of the bowel, severe kidney or liver disorders, diarrhea, bowel pain, vomiting, and weight loss) and large hernia (bulging of a tissue or organ through an unusual opening) in intestine should discuss with a doctor before using Acarbose+metformin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are should avoid consuming alcohol with Acarbose+metformin as it may lead to high or low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
cautionAcarbose+metformin is a Category B pregnancy drug that is not recommended for pregnant women or given only when strictly guidance of the doctor as there is no clinical data available on use in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
cautionAvoid nursing your baby while taking Acarbose+metformin as this medicine may pass in breast milk.
Driving
safe if prescribedAcarbose+metformin is safe to take before driving as it does not affect your thinking ability.
Liver
cautionTake Acarbose+metformin only after the doctor's prescription, especially if you are dealing with Liver diseases/conditions as your doctor may adjust the dose as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Acarbose+metformin after the recommendation of a doctor, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dosing strength needs to be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeThe use of Acarbose+metformin is unsafe for children below 12 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A person should engage themself in regular exercise like cycling, running, walking, jogging, dancing, or swimming for at least 30 minutes. Try to invest at least 150 minutes weekly in exercise.
- A person should also maintain healthy body weight to avoid obesity or high blood sugar it can increase the risk of the onset of diabetes.
- A person should take low fat and a low sugar diet. For that replace carbohydrates with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as carbohydrates changed into sugars leading to high blood sugar levels.
- Try to avoid potatoes as they are high glycemic foods that increase the risk of high sugar in the blood.
- A person should limit the consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
You should have Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test every 3 months to check your blood glucose level control.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic or life-long condition in which cells of the body fails to respond to insulin, and in later stages, the body even fails to produce enough amount of insulin. It comprises around 90% of total diabetes cases. This condition makes the body rely on different energy sources in muscles, tissues, and organs. This disease develops gradually, and the early symptoms include constant hunger, lack of energy, fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, itchy skin, and blurry vision. Persons who are middle-aged or older are most possibly have type 2 diabetes, so it is also called adult-onset diabetes. The risks of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes include damaged retina of eyes or blindness, loss of limbs, nerve problems, kidney problems, sexual dysfunction, and increase the possibility of heart attack or stroke.
FAQs
The use of Acarbose+metformin is strictly prohibited in persons already taking 'digoxin' for treating heartbeats as it may lead to serious drug interaction. One should tell their doctor. If a person needs to take both medicines together, then they need to consult with their doctor so that their doctor may adjust the dose appropriately to use safely.
Acarbose+metformin is contraindicated in the condition of 'diabetic ketoacidosis' or 'lactic acidosis' as it may lead to overload of acids or ketones in your blood and kidney is unable to remove it leading to sever life threatening conditions.
No, a woman who is pregnant, nursing her baby, or planning to have a baby can not take this medicine without asking with their doctor. Ask your doctor for more advice.
You should try to take small meals at regular intervals and should not skip your meals as it can help Acarbose+metformin to work more effectively by utilizing glucose in the right manner. Fasting is dangerous for diabetes patient taking Acarbose+metformin as it would lower blood sugar level leading to hypoglycemia.
No, a person should continue taking Acarbose+metformin as much doctor has prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. You should not stop discontinuing Acarbose+metformin suddenly as it may worsen the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and increase the blood sugar level leading to hyperglycemia.
