Acarbose
- ../../audio/mi/full/acarbose.mp3
ak-ar-bose
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/2.0_Title_Pronounce_Acarbose.mp3
What does it do?
- What does it do?
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/3.0_What does it do_Acarbose.mp3
Acarbose is used to treat diabetes by reducing the absorption of sugars from food.
Before you start
- Before you start
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- Tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, bowel or digestion problems, or if you have had recent abdominal surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
How should you take it?
- How should you take it?
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/4.0_How should you take it_Acarbose.mp3
Take acarbose as directed. It may be swallowed whole with a glass of water, or chewed, at the start of a meal.
What if you forget a dose?
- What if you forget a dose?
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/5.0.5_Missed dose_What if you forget_Skip the missed dose and continue as directed. Do not take two doses at the same time....mp3
Skip the missed dose and continue as directed. Do not take two doses at the same time and do not take doses between meals.
Can you take other medicines?
- Can you take other medicines?
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Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
- What side effects might you notice?
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/7.0_Side effects_Acarbose.mp3
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Skin rash, itching |
Tell your doctor |
|
Farting, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Other information:
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/8.0_Other information_Acarbose.mp3
- Test your blood sugar as directed by your health professional.
- Do not use regular household sugar to treat low blood sugar (a “hypo”) when taking acarbose. Discuss other options (e.g. dextrose tablets) with your health professional.
- Limit alcohol intake as it may alter your blood sugar.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
- ../../audio/mi/sections/acarbose/9.0_Disclaimer.mp3
Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
Te Reo Māori
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed