Acarbose Viatris (Acarbose)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Acarbose Viatris Used For?
Acarbose Viatris contains the active ingredient acarbose and is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes to help control blood sugar levels.
Primary Uses
Acarbose Viatris is used for the treatment of diabetes to help control blood sugar levels in conjunction with diet, exercise, weight loss and other measures.
How It Works
Acarbose works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates (complex sugars) from your diet. This reduces the abnormally high blood sugar levels that occur after each meal.
Good to know: This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
How to Take Acarbose Viatris
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. To gain the maximum benefit, it’s important that you follow the prescribed diet as well as taking the exact dose prescribed.
Dosage Instructions
The average adult dose is one 100 mg tablet taken three times daily. Swallow the tablets whole with a little liquid immediately before the meal. If you prefer not to swallow the tablets, you can chew them with the first few mouthfuls of food. Take your medicine at about the same time each day with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and gradually increase it.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take Acarbose Viatris at the time you are supposed to, do not take the tablets between meals. Wait until it is time for your next dose and take Acarbose Viatris with your meal and continue as before. Do not take a double dose.
Important: Never take a double dose if you miss one. Always take with meals for best effect.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Flatulence (wind)
- Abdominal ‘rumbling’ noises
- Feeling of fullness
- Softer stools or diarrhea (particularly after eating foods containing sugar)
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Increased appetite
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Swelling from fluid retention
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- Intestinal obstruction
- Decrease in platelet count
- Skin reactions such as redness, rash and urticaria (hives)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Acarbose Viatris should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Acarbose Viatris
Do not use if you are allergic to acarbose or any ingredients; have severe kidney disorder (creatinine clearance <25 mL/min); suffer from intestinal obstruction, inflammation or ulceration of the bowel such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease; have a hernia or have had previous abdominal surgery without consulting your doctor first. Do not give to children under 18 years.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or if you are taking other medicines containing sulfonylureas or metformin or tend to have low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Like most medicines of this kind, acarbose is not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits if you are pregnant. It is not known whether acarbose passes into breast milk, so discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Allergic Reactions: Symptoms may include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching or hives. Seek immediate medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Acarbose Viatris and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Sugar Products: Avoid taking cane sugar (sucrose) and products containing sugar as they may cause stomach discomfort or diarrhea.
- Neomycin (Neosulf™)
- Colestyramine (Questran Lite™)
- Intestinal adsorbents (e.g. charcoal)
- Digestive enzyme preparations (Cotazym-S Forte™, Creon™, Pancrease™, Viokase™)
- Digoxin
- Sulfonylureas
- Metformin
- Insulin
Alcohol & Driving
Special precautions may be needed regarding alcohol consumption and driving while taking this medication.
Alcohol
Information not specifically provided in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Dizziness is a possible side effect. Be cautious when driving or operating machinery if you experience this side effect.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings mentioned in the source material.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Protect from moisture. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it. If you no longer need this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Acarbose Viatris, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. When taken with drinks and/or meals containing carbohydrates, overdosage can lead to diarrhea and other intestinal symptoms such as flatulence and abdominal cramps. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acarbose Viatris works by slowing down carbohydrate digestion during meals, so it begins working immediately when taken with food to help control blood sugar spikes after eating.
Yes, you must take Acarbose Viatris with meals. Swallow the tablets whole with a little liquid immediately before the meal, or chew them with the first few mouthfuls of food.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you stop suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects. Your blood sugar levels may not be controlled properly.
If you’re also taking sulfonylureas, metformin or insulin and experience low blood sugar, do not treat it with ordinary sugar (sucrose) as it won’t work fast enough. Instead, take glucose (dextrose) tablets, honey, syrup or sweets available from your chemist.
If you forget to take Acarbose Viatris, do not take the tablets between meals. Wait until your next meal time and take your dose with that meal. Never take a double dose.
Common side effects include flatulence, abdominal rumbling, feeling of fullness, and softer stools, especially if you eat foods containing sugar. These symptoms may improve if you follow your prescribed diet strictly.
You should avoid taking cane sugar (sucrose) and products containing sugar as they may cause stomach discomfort or even diarrhea while you are taking Acarbose Viatris tablets.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.