Glucobay

Glucobay (acarbose) is a drug used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Acarbose belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. It works by slowing or blocking the enzymes that normally break down carbohydrates in food, thereby slowing the absorption of sugars from food into the bloodstream. This helps lower blood glucose levels after meals.

Glucobay is usually taken with or just before meals. Patients with type 2 diabetes can take Glucobay with other medications to control blood sugar levels or as monotherapy.

Indications Glucobay

Glucobay is used to control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is prescribed as an adjunct to diet, physical activity, and other diabetes treatments.

Release form

Glucobay (Acarbose) usually comes as a tablet to take by mouth.

Pharmacodynamics

1. Inhibitory action: Acarbose inhibits the action of α-glucosidase in the intestine, which leads to a delay in the hydrolysis of carbohydrates and, therefore, a delay in their absorption. This leads to a gradual decrease in glycemia after carbohydrate intake.
2. Decreased peak glycemia: Inhibition of α-glucosidase reduces the rate of absorption of carbohydrates from food, resulting in a decrease in the peak glycemia after a meal.
3. Reduction of postprandial hyperglycemia: Glucobay helps to reduce blood glucose levels after meals, which is especially important for people with diabetes or those predisposed to hyperglycemia.
4. Improved Glucose Control: Since Glucobay reduces the rate of absorption of carbohydrates from food, it helps improve blood glucose control in patients with diabetes.
5. Modulation of insulin resistance: Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, some studies suggest that acarbose may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance.
6. Suppression of postprandial hyperinsulinemia: Because carbohydrates are absorbed more slowly, the high insulin levels typically seen after carbohydrate ingestion may be reduced.

Pharmacokinetics

Information on the pharmacokinetics of acarbose is limited, particularly in the context of metabolism, distribution, and elimination. It is likely that most of acarbose remains in the intestine and exerts its effects at the gastrointestinal level.

Dosing and administration

The dosage and method of administration of Glucobay (Acarbose) are usually determined individually depending on the doctor's recommendations and the instructions included with the drug. Usually, Glucobay is taken orally during meals or immediately after meals. The dosage may vary depending on the degree of hyperglycemia and other factors. It is recommended to strictly follow the doctor's instructions and the instructions for the drug.

Use Glucobay during pregnancy

1. General information:

   • There is insufficient data on the safety of using acarbose during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown some risks, but the lack of sufficient human studies means that potential risks to fetal development have not been fully established.

2. Recommendations from medical organizations:

   • Most guidelines agree that the use of acarbose during pregnancy is not recommended due to insufficient safety data. This applies to all trimesters of pregnancy.

3. Alternative treatment:

   • Insulin is generally preferred for controlling blood glucose levels during pregnancy because it is considered safer and more effective. Insulin does not affect the fetus in the same way as some oral hypoglycemic agents.

Contraindications

1. Known allergic reaction: Patients with a known allergy to the active substance (acarbose) or any other components of the drug should avoid its use.
2. Intestinal diseases: In patients with intestinal diseases such as gastric or intestinal ulcers, colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, the use of Glucobay may be contraindicated or require caution.
3. Liver impairment: Patients with severe liver impairment may have difficulty metabolizing acarbose, which may increase the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, Glucobay may be contraindicated or require caution in such patients.
4. Renal impairment: Caution is recommended when using Glucobay in patients with severe renal impairment, as its efficacy and safety may be reduced due to a decrease in the rate of elimination of the drug from the body.
5. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is limited data on the safety of acarbose during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so the use of Glucobay in such cases requires special caution and consultation with a doctor.

Side effects Glucobay

1. Gastrointestinal disturbances such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea.
2. Rarely, skin reactions such as rash or itching may occur.
3. In some cases, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur, especially in patients taking Glucobay with other medications for diabetes.

Overdose

1. Gastrointestinal disorders: Symptoms may include abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and gas.
2. Hypoglycemia: In rare cases, if too high a dose is used, symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) may occur, such as hunger, sweating, trembling, weakness, dizziness, a drop in blood pressure, drowsiness, and even loss of consciousness. This is especially important for people taking insulin or other hypoglycemic drugs.
3. Other possible symptoms: Other symptoms associated with the side effects of acarbose may occur, such as headache, chickenpox, back pain, and muscle pain.

Interactions with other drugs

1. Hypoglycemic agents: Glucobay may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of insulin and sulfonylurea, which may lead to a risk of hypoglycemia.
2. Drugs that affect digestion: Because Glucobay slows the absorption of carbohydrates, its use with other drugs that affect digestion may alter the rate at which other drugs are absorbed.
3. Anticoagulants: Concomitant use of Glucobay with anticoagulants such as warfarin may result in increased effects due to delayed absorption of food.
4. Hypertension medications: Glucobay may enhance the hypotensive effect of hypertension medications, which requires blood pressure monitoring.
5. Medicines for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy: Concomitant use of Glucobay with medicines used to treat diabetic nephropathy may enhance their effectiveness.