Acarbose

Seeing this side effect in someone you care for? Eleplan keeps diagnoses, medications and appointments in one plan.

Start free with Eleplan

Medication side effect

Can Acarbose cause hypoglycaemia?

alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor [EPC]

Yes — hypoglycaemia has been reported as a side effect of Acarbose in FDA adverse-event reports (FAERS) and product labeling. It is among the more frequently reported events for this medication. These are voluntary reports, so they show what's been reported, not how often it happens.

Reported adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS Digestive Tract Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common reactions to Acarbose Tablets. In U.S. placebo-controlled trials, the incidences of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence were 19%, 31%, and 74% respectively in 1255 patients treated with Acarbose Tablets 50-300 mg t.i.d., whereas the corresponding incidences were 9%, 12%, and 29% in 999 placebo-treated patients. In a one-year safety study, during which patients kept diaries of gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain and diarrhea tended to return to pretreatment levels over time, and the frequency and intensity of flatulence tended to abate with time. The increased gastrointestinal tract symptoms in patients treated with Acarbose Tablets are a manifestation of the mechanism of action of Acarbose Tablets and are related to the presence of undigested carbohydrate in the lower GI tract. If the prescribed diet is not observed, the intestinal side effects may be intensified. If strongly distressing symptoms develop in spite of adherence to the diabetic diet prescribed, the doctor must be consulted and the dose temporarily or permanently reduced. Elevated Serum Transaminase Levels See PRECAUTIONS . Other Abnormal Laboratory Findings Small reductions in hematocrit occurred more often in Acarbose Tablets-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients but were not associated with reductions in hemoglobin. Low serum calcium and low plasma vitamin B 6 levels were associated with Acarbose Tablets therapy but are thought to be either spurious or of no clinical significance. Postmarketing Adverse Event Reports Additional adverse events reported from worldwide postmarketing experience include fulminant hepatitis with fatal outcome, hypersensitive skin reactions (for example, rash, erythema, exanthema and urticaria), edema, ileus/subileus, jaundice and/or hepatitis and associated liver damage, thrombocytopenia, and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (see PRECAUTIONS ). Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis There have been rare postmarketing reports of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis associated with the use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, including Acarbose Tablets. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis may present with symptoms of diarrhea, mucus discharge, rectal bleeding, and constipation. Complications may include pneumoperitoneum, volvulus, intestinal obstruction, intussusception, intestinal hemorrhage, and intestinal perforation. If pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is suspected, discontinue Acarbose Tablets and perform the appropriate diagnostic imaging. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Strides Pharma Inc. at 1-877-244-9825 or go to www.strides.com

Frequently asked questions

Is hypoglycaemia a side effect of Acarbose?

Yes — hypoglycaemia has been reported as a side effect of Acarbose in FDA adverse-event reports (FAERS) and/or its labeling. These are voluntary reports, so they show what's been reported, not how often it happens.

How common is hypoglycaemia with Acarbose?

hypoglycaemia is among the more frequently reported events for Acarbose in FAERS. Reporting volume isn't a true incidence rate — check the prescribing information for documented frequencies.

What should I do if I have hypoglycaemia while taking Acarbose?

Don't stop a prescribed medication on your own. Tell your prescriber or pharmacist — they can tell you whether it's expected, whether it needs attention, and what to do next.

Informational only, drawn from FDA adverse-event reporting (FAERS) and labeling — not medical advice, and not proof a medication caused an effect. Talk to your clinician or pharmacist about any side effect.

Look up another medication

Powered by Eleplan

Tracking a side effect is easier when the whole plan is in one place.

Log symptoms, keep every medication and its history, and prep questions for your next visit — with Ellie, your AI care assistant, on top of it all. Free to start.