Precose
Acarbose
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Precose
Precose is a glucosidase (enzyme) inhibitor drug. It acts by slowing down the enzyme that convert carbohydrates into glucose and thereby decrease blood sugar level after a meal.
Therapeutic Uses of Precose
Precose is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, whose blood sugar can not be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Precose can be used alone, in combination with other oral diabetes medicines, or with insulin. Sometimes it is used in treatment of obesity, but not recommended.
Direction of use of Precose
Take Precose as directed by your doctor or follow the instructions given in the label of the medicine for exact dosing. Take Precose orally. If you are also taking charcoal or digestive enzyme preparations, you should take these drugs at least 2 to 4 hours before or after taking Precose.
You may need temporary treatment with insulin during stress like fever, trauma, infection, or surgery, because Precose may not be able to control blood sugar effectively during these stressful periods.
If You Miss a Dose of Precose
If you miss a dose of Precose, take it as soon as remembered. If it is almost time for the next dose than skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses of Precose at a time.
How to Store Precose
Precose should be stored at temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store it in a dry, cool and dark place in a tightly closed container and keep it out of reach of children. Do not store Precose in your bathroom.
More Information About Precose
Precose is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed and not shared with other people. If you have any questions regarding Precose, discuss with your doctor or other health care provider. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Precose
Do not take Precose if you have any of the medical conditions listed below and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in Precose.
- If you are suffering from liver diseases like cirrhosis of liver or have unexplained abnormal liver function test.
- If you are at risk of intestinal obstruction or suffering from intestinal obstruction.
- If you have diabetic ketoacidosis (high ketone levels in blood) or any severe kidney problem.
- If you have long term or chronic bowel inflammation (IBS or inflammatory bowel disease), colon ulcers, or stomach or intestine problems that may interfere with digestion or absorption of nutrients.
Some medical conditions may interact with Precose. Consult your doctor or other health care provider if you have any of the medical conditions that may interact with Precose. The following medical conditions may interact with Precose:
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast feeding your baby.
- If you have allergy to any medicine, food, or any other substance.
- If you are taking any prescription medicine or nonprescription medicine (OTC or over the counter medicine), herbal preparation, or any dietary supplement.
- If you have stomach problem, intestinal problem, liver problems, or any kidney problem that may interact with Precose.
Some medicines may interact with Precose. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine that may interact with Precose. The following medicines may interact with Precose:
- Anticoagulants like warfarin, because the risk of their side effects, like bleeding, may be increased by Precose.
- The effectiveness of digoxin may be reduced by Precose.
- Precose may increase side effects of anti diabetic medicines like insulin and sulfonylureas like glyburide.
- Calcium channel blockers (verapamil), corticosteroids (prednisone), diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, used for hypertension), estrogen, isoniazid, nicotinic acid, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenothiazines (chlorpromazine), phenytoin, sympathomimetics (pseudoephedrine), or thyroid hormone because they may increase or decrease effectiveness of Precose.
Possible Adverse Effects of Precose
- Common side effects of Precose are bloating (due to gas), diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, mild vomiting etc. If any of these common and mild side effects become troublesome or persistent you should consult your doctor.
- If you experience any serious side effects of Precose like severe allergic reaction ( which is manifested by skin rash, hives, itching, difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe stomach pain, yellowing of skin or eyes etc. consult your doctor immediately.