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Indications & Uses
Dilitus is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Voglibose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. Drugs in this group are saccharides that compete with the enzymes the body needs to digest carbohydrates, specifically the alpha-glucosidase enzymes in the brush border of the small intestine. These membrane-bound enzymes break oligosaccharides, trisaccharides and disaccharides down to glucose and other monosaccharides in the small intestine. Acarbose also blocks pancreatic alpha-amylase, on top of inhibiting the membrane-bound alpha-glucosidases. Pancreatic alpha-amylase breaks complex starches down to oligosaccharides in the lumen of the small intestine. When these enzyme systems are inhibited, complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly. The carbohydrates aren't broken down into glucose molecules, so less glucose is absorbed. In diabetic patients, the short-term effect of these drugs is to lower current blood glucose levels, and the long-term effect is a small reduction in hemoglobin-A1c level.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Adult Dose: Voglibose tablets are usually taken by mouth as a single dose of 0.2 mg, 3 times a day, before each meal. If the effect isn't enough, a single dose may be increased up to 0.3 mg.
Paediatrics: The safety and effectiveness of Voglibose in children has not been established.
Geriatrics: Elderly patients generally have a physiological hypofunction, so it is desirable to take care, for example by starting at a lower dose (e.g. 0.1 mg at a time). The medicine should also be given carefully under close observation through the course of the disease condition, paying close attention to the blood sugar level and to the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Dosage in Renal Failure: Voglibose is poorly absorbed after oral doses and renal excretion is negligible, which suggests that no dose adjustment is required. However, pharmacokinetic studies in patients with renal insufficiency are not available.
Side Effects
Voglibose is unlikely to cause hypoglycaemia even in overdose, but abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea may occur. Loose stools, abdominal pain, constipation, loss of appetite, an urge to vomit (nausea), vomiting, heartburn and increased gas can also happen. The extra gas may sometimes cause symptoms that feel like an intestinal obstruction. When Voglibose is taken together with other oral hypoglycaemic agents, hypoglycaemia may occur (0.1% to <5%). Other effects reported are delayed digestion and absorption of disaccharides, fulminant hepatitis, serious liver dysfunction with raised liver enzymes, jaundice, anaemia, numbness, oedema, blurred vision, hot flushes, malaise, weakness, hyperkalemia, and a rise in the pancreatic enzyme serum amylase.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Voglibose tablets should only be given to patients who have established diabetes. Some other conditions look like diabetes because they also cause abnormal glucose tolerance and sugar in the urine, such as renal glycosuria, senile abnormal glucose tolerance and abnormal thyroid function. If a patient is being managed with lifestyle changes (diet and/or exercise), Voglibose must be started only when the 2-hour postprandial blood glucose is ≥200 mg/dL. While the patient is taking Voglibose, the doctor should watch how the disease is progressing and check blood glucose at regular intervals. If the effect on postprandial glucose is still not satisfactory after 2 to 3 months of Voglibose (postprandial glucose ≥200mg/dL), the doctor should consider changing to a more suitable treatment. If blood glucose comes under good control on Voglibose (postprandial glucose ≤160 mg/dL) and can be kept there with lifestyle therapy, or with oral hypoglycaemic drugs or insulin preparations added, the Voglibose tablet should be stopped. The patient's disease should then be monitored as it goes on.
Contraindications
Voglibose must not be given to anyone with hypersensitivity to Voglibose or to any of its excipients. It is also contraindicated in diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic pre-coma, severe infection, before and after an operation, and serious trauma. People with a gastrointestinal obstruction, or who are predisposed to one, should not take it either.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Nobody has established that Voglibose is safe in pregnancy. At the same time, no adequate and well controlled studies have been found in pregnant women. The amount of Voglibose that reaches human milk is exceedingly low, but it is still recommended that Voglibose not be given to breastfeeding women.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
Taking too many Voglibose tablets will not cause hypoglycaemia, which is where it differs from sulfonylureas or insulin. An overdose may bring a short-lived increase in flatulence, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. Voglibose has almost no effect outside the intestine, so no serious systemic reactions are expected if someone takes an overdose.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Voglibose in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C, and away from light. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Dilitus 0.2 mg
What is Dilitus 0.2 mg Tablet?
Dilitus 0.2 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Voglibose. It is made by General Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor group of medicines.
What is Dilitus used for?
Dilitus is used for: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Mellitus.
What are the side effects of Dilitus?
Voglibose is unlikely to cause hypoglycaemia even in overdose, but abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea may occur. Loose stools, abdominal pain, constipation, loss of appetite, an urge to vomit (nausea), vomiting, heartburn and increased gas can also happen.
Can I take Dilitus during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Nobody has established that Voglibose is safe in pregnancy. At the same time, no adequate and well controlled studies have been found in pregnant women. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Dilitus?
Taking too many Voglibose tablets will not cause hypoglycaemia, which is where it differs from sulfonylureas or insulin. An overdose may bring a short-lived increase in flatulence, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Dilitus?
Keep Voglibose in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C, and away from light. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Can I take other medicines with Dilitus?
Some medicines can interact with Voglibose, for example: Adrenaline, Salicylic Acid, Insulin (Human) 30/70, Warfarin Sodium. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Dilitus is already among the lowest-priced brands of Voglibose at this strength.
Do I need a prescription for Dilitus?
Dilitus is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.