What to look for when using alpha glycosidase inhibitors?
α glycosidase inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. Acarbose and miglitol, which are alpha glucosidase inhibitors, help prevent a rapid rise in blood glucose levels after a meal.
A class of α-glucosidase inhibitors may be prescribed if you have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and your blood sugar levels tend to rise suddenly after a meal. Your doctor may also prescribe an alpha glucosidase inhibitor if you are already taking medications for diabetes but your blood sugar remains extremely high.
Mechanism of action
An alpha glycosidase inhibitor makes the small intestine break down and absorb starchy foods (such as bread, potatoes, and pasta) more slowly. An alpha glycosidase inhibitor should be taken at the first bite of each meal. Most patients take the drug 3 times a day.
An α-glucosidase inhibitor usually lowers glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c, the “average” of blood glucose control over several months) by about 0.5%, for example, from 7.5% to 7.0%.
Side effects
Patients should talk to their doctor about the possibility of hypoglycemia if they are taking other diabetes treatment medications or insulin. Hypoglycemia is unlikely to occur if only an alpha glucosidase inhibitor is taken.
Physicians may start dosing at a low dose and then gradually increase the dose to avoid the following intestinal problems.
- gas;
- diarrhea;
- Stomach upset;
- Abdominal pain.
These side effects usually go away within a few weeks; if they don’t, you should consult your doctor promptly.
When you should not take the medicine
An alpha glucosidase inhibitor is not appropriate in the following situations.
- Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease;
- Intestinal blockage;
- Digestive disorders;
- Diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous state in which the body burns fat rather than carbohydrates for energy.
Acarbose is not appropriate if the following conditions exist.
- Intestinal ulcers;
- Cirrhosis of the liver;
- Pregnant women should not take alpha glucosidase inhibitors.