Precose

Precose is used for:

Treating type 2 diabetes in adults whose diabetes cannot be managed with diet alone. Precose may be used alone, in combination with other oral diabetes medicines, or with insulin.

Acarbose is a glucosidase inhibitor. It works by slowing down the enzyme that turns carbohydrates into glucose; this decreases blood sugar levels following a meal.

Do NOT use Precose if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Precose
• you have blockage of the stomach or intestine or are at risk for these problems
• you have long-term (chronic) bowel inflammation, colon ulcers, or stomach or intestine problems that interfere with digestion or nutrient absorption
• you have cirrhosis of the liver or unexplained abnormal liver function tests
• you have diabetic ketoacidosis (high ketone levels) or severe kidney problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Precose :

Some medical conditions may interact with Precose . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have stomach or intestinal problems, liver problems, or kidney problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Precose . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects, including bleeding, may be increased by Precose
• Calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), estrogen, isoniazid, nicotinic acid, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or thyroid hormone because they may increase or decrease Precose 's effectiveness
• Insulin or sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Precose
• Digoxin because its effectiveness may be decreased by Precose

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Precose may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Precose :

Use Precose as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Precose by mouth with food.
• If you also take charcoal or digestive enzyme preparations, do not take them within 2 to 4 hours before after taking Precose . Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• Temporary insulin therapy may be necessary during stressful periods (such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery).
• If you miss a dose of Precose , skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Precose .

Important safety information:

• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Precose before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Carefully follow the regular testing of urine or blood glucose schedules given to you by your health care provider.
• Precose , used with other diabetes medicines, may cause a loss of blood sugar control. Your health care provider may need to change the amount of medicine that you are taking. Because Precose prevents the breakdown of table (cane) sugar, be sure to use glucose (dextrose), not sugar or fruits, to treat symptoms of low blood sugar (tiredness, excessive hunger and sweating, numbness in arms or legs). Contact your health care provider if these symptoms occur.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and liver function tests, may be performed while you use Precose . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Precose should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Precose while you are pregnant. It is not known if Precose is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Precose .

Possible side effects of Precose :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bloating; diarrhea; gas; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe stomach pain; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; gas; stomach pain or discomfort.

Store Precose below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly sealed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Precose out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Precose , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Precose is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Precose . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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