Critical evaluation of the role of acarbose in the treatment of diabetes: patient considerations

The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose has been used for more than 20 years in the management of hyperglycemia. Owing to its unique mode of action in the gastrointestinal tract, its properties are very different from other antidiabetic medications. Patients on long-term treatment to control a chro...

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Published inDiabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity Vol. 5; no. default; pp. 357 - 367
Main Authors Rosak, Christoph, Mertes, Gabriele
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2012
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Dove Press
Dove Medical Press
Subjects
Acarbose
Complications and side effects
Diabetes
Dosage and administration
Drug therapy
Hyperglycemia
patient considerations
prediabetes
Review
side effects
type 2 diabetes
Germany
side effects
type 2 diabetes
patient considerations
prediabetes
acarbose
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Summary:The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose has been used for more than 20 years in the management of hyperglycemia. Owing to its unique mode of action in the gastrointestinal tract, its properties are very different from other antidiabetic medications. Patients on long-term treatment to control a chronic disease are not only interested in good treatment efficacy, but are also even more interested in the safety and side effects of their medications. Significant aspects of acarbose predominantly regarding safety and tolerability in the management of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are reviewed. It is concluded that acarbose is a convenient long-term treatment option, with benefits for both type 2 diabetics and patients in a prediabetic state.
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ISSN:1178-7007
1178-7007
DOI:10.2147/dmso.s28340