Drug Interactions between acarbose and Ilozyme

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

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MONITOR: Exogenous pancreatic enzymes may interfere with the gastrointestinal absorption of folic acid and iron. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. In one study, investigators compared oral iron absorption over a 3-hour period in the presence and absence of exogenous pancreatic enzymes in 13 stable young adults with cystic fibrosis and 9 age-matched controls. There was no difference between patients and controls in iron absorption in the absence of exogenous pancreatic enzymes. However, significant impairment of iron absorption was observed in both groups after administration of pancrelipase one hour prior to iron administration. In the patient group, one hour after iron administration, there was a 188% increase in serum iron level above baseline in the absence of pancrelipase but only a 62% increase in the presence of pancrelipase. In the controls, percentage increases as well as peak serum iron levels were significantly higher in the absence of pancrelipase during all 3 hours after iron administration. Clinically, at least one-third of cystic fibrosis patients reportedly have iron deficiency. In the study, mean serum iron concentration was significantly lower in patients than in controls (11.9 versus 18.9 micromoles/L), and 5 of the patients but none of the controls had a serum iron concentration lower than 9 micromoles/L at baseline, presumably due to long-term treatment with pancreatic enzyme supplements.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving therapeutic iron or folate therapy should be monitored for potentially reduced hematologic response if pancreatic enzymes are administered concomitantly. Separating the times of administration may be helpful.

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