Precose

Precose

     * Generic Name: acarbose
     * Brand Name: Precose


     * 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 (Precose)?

What is acarbose (Precose)?

   Acarbose slows the digestion of carbohydrates in the body, which
   helps control blood sugar levels.

   Acarbose is used together with diet and exercise to treat
   type 2 diabetes. Acarbose is sometimes used in combination with
   insulin or other diabetes medications you take by mouth.

   Acarbose may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of acarbose (Precose)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * severe constipation;
     * severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
     * easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or
       rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
     * liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
       loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
       jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Common side effects may include:
     * stomach discomfort, gas, bloating;
     * mild diarrhea; or
     * mild skin rash or itching.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about acarbose
(Precose)?

   You should not use acarbose if you have inflammatory bowel disease,
   an ulcer or blockage in your intestines, or cirrhosis of the liver.
   Do not use acarbose if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis
   (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

   Precose Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication

   Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
   Diabetes: Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining

   Diabetes Friendly Dining
   RxList

   Type 2 Diabetes Quiz

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

   You should not use acarbose if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
     * inflammatory bowel disease;
     * a blockage in your intestines;
     * a digestive disorder affecting your intestines;
     * intestinal ulcer (of your colon);
     * cirrhosis of the liver; or
     * diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with
       insulin).

   To make sure acarbose is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease;
     * a bowel or intestinal disorder; or
     * a stomach disorder.

   This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor
   if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

   It is not known whether acarbose passes into breast milk or if it could
   harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using
   acarbose.

   Acarbose is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take acarbose (Precose)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take acarbose with the first bite of a main meal, unless your doctor
   tells you otherwise.

   Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other
   blood tests at your doctor's office.

   If you take acarbose with insulin or other diabetes medications, your
   blood sugar could get too low.

   Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes.
   Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, confusion,
   irritability, dizziness, or feeling shaky. Always keep a source of
   dextrose (D-glucose) with you in case you have low blood sugar. When
   taking acarbose, dextrose will work better than cane sugar or table
   sugar in treating hypoglycemia. Sources of dextrose include
   honey, dates, raisins, plums, dried prunes, grapes, or glucose
   tablets. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in
   an emergency.

   If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use a
   glucagon injection. Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency
   injection kit and tell you how to use it.

   Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as
   increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth,
   fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight
   loss.

   Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel,
   illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you
   drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose
   levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change your
   medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

   Acarbose is only part of a complete treatment program that may also
   include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing,
   and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very
   closely.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle
   tightly closed when not in use.

   Precose Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication

   Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
   Diabetes: Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining

   Diabetes Friendly Dining
   RxList

   Type 2 Diabetes Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose (Precose)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take it with a
   meal). If it has been longer than 15 minutes since you started your
   meal, you may still take acarbose but it may be less effective than
   taking it with the first bite of the meal. Do not take acarbose between
   meals, and do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Precose)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   In case of overdose, do not eat or drink anything containing
   carbohydrates for the next 4 to 6 hours.

What should I avoid while taking acarbose (Precose)?

   Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar.

   Avoid taking a digestive enzyme such as pancreatin, amylase, or
   lipase at the same time you take acarbose. These enzymes can make
   it harder for your body to absorb acarbose. Products that contain
   digestive enzymes include Arco-Lase, Cotazym, Donnazyme, Pancrease,
   Creon, and Ku-Zyme.

What other drugs will affect acarbose (Precose)?

   You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if
   you take acarbose with other drugs that can raise blood sugar, such as:
     * isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
     * niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo
       Niacin, and others), nicotine patches or gum;
     * birth control pills and other hormones;
     * a diuretic or "water pill";
     * heart or blood pressure medicine;
     * insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
     * diet pills, stimulants, or medicines to treat asthma, colds or
       allergies;
     * phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
     * seizure medications (Dilantin and others);
     * steroids (prednisone and others); or
     * thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others).

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with acarbose,
   including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information (Precose)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about acarbose.
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