acarbose, Precose (cont.)

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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NURSING MOTHERS: Acarbose is excreted in the milk of lactating animals, but no human studies have been conducted. Acarbose use is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects with acarbose therapy are abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence (gas). There is a rare possibility that these gastrointestinal side effects may become severe and progress to paralytic ileus. Other possible but rare side effects are an increase in liver enzymes, and decreases in hematocrit, calcium or vitamin B6 levels. Liver failure, severe skin reactions, and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis infection have been reported.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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