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Same active ingredient — pay up to 26% less
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Acarbose). Same strength and form. Confirm the switch with your doctor or pharmacist.
More from Sugatrol
Other strengths and forms by Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Indications & Uses
Sugatrol is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Acarbose works differently from sulfonylureas: it does not increase insulin secretion. Instead, its antihyperglycemic effect comes from competitively and reversibly inhibiting two enzymes, pancreatic alpha-amylase and membrane-bound intestinal alpha-glucoside hydrolase. Pancreatic alpha-amylase normally breaks down complex starches into oligosaccharides within the small intestine, while the membrane-bound intestinal alpha-glucosidases break down oligosaccharides, trisaccharides, and disaccharides into glucose and other simple sugars at the intestinal brush border. By inhibiting these enzymes, Acarbose slows glucose absorption in people with diabetes and reduces the rise in blood sugar that occurs after meals.
Because it works through a distinct mechanism, Acarbose's glucose-lowering effect adds to that of sulfonylureas, insulin, or metformin when used alongside them. It also reduces the insulin-stimulating and weight-gain effects associated with sulfonylureas. Since Acarbose does not inhibit lactase, it is not expected to cause lactose intolerance.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
The recommended starting dose of Acarbose is 25 mg taken by mouth three times a day, with the first bite of each main meal. Some patients, however, may do better with a more gradual increase in dose to help reduce stomach and gut side effects. This can be done by starting treatment at 25 mg once a day and then slowly increasing how often it is taken until a dose of 25 mg three times a day is reached.
Maintenance Dosage
Once a dosage of 25 mg three times a day has been reached, the dose of Acarbose should be adjusted every 4 to 8 weeks based on one-hour after-meal blood glucose levels or glycosylated hemoglobin levels, as well as how well the patient tolerates the medicine. The dose can be raised from 25 mg three times a day to 50 mg three times a day. Some patients may benefit from a further increase to 100 mg three times a day. The usual maintenance dose ranges from 50 mg three times a day to 100 mg three times a day.
Side Effects
Diarrhea, gas, upset stomach, constipation, or stomach discomfort can occur during the first few weeks as your body gets used to this medicine, and these effects usually ease with time. Sticking to your prescribed diet can help reduce them. If any of these symptoms continue or become worse, let your doctor or pharmacist know right away.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Because of how it works, Acaril taken on its own should not cause hypoglycemia while fasting or after meals. Sulfonylurea medicines or insulin, on the other hand, can cause hypoglycemia, and if Acaril is combined with either of these, blood glucose may be lowered further, raising the potential for hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia does not normally occur in patients taking metformin alone, and adding Acaril to metformin therapy was not found to increase its incidence. If mild to moderate hypoglycemia needs to be treated, oral glucose (dextrose) should be used rather than sucrose (cane sugar), since Acaril does not inhibit the absorption of glucose. Sucrose is unsuitable for correcting hypoglycemia quickly, because Acaril inhibits its breakdown into glucose and fructose. Severe hypoglycemia may need to be treated with an intravenous glucose infusion or a glucagon injection.
Contraindications
Acarbose shouldn't be used by anyone who is known to be hypersensitive to the drug. Precose (the brand name) is also contraindicated in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis or cirrhosis. The same applies to patients with inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration or partial intestinal obstruction, and to those who are predisposed to intestinal obstruction. Acarbose is likewise not for patients with chronic intestinal diseases that cause marked disorders of digestion or absorption, or with any condition that could get worse because of increased gas formation in the intestine.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy Category B. There isn't enough evidence yet to confirm that Acarbose is safe to use during pregnancy. Studies in lactating rats found that a small amount of radioactivity appeared in the milk after the mother received radiolabeled acarbose, but whether the drug itself passes into human breast milk is still unknown. Since many medicines do pass into breast milk, Acarbose is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of Acarbose have not been established in children.
Geriatric Use: In the clinical studies of Acarbose done in the United States, 27% of the subjects were 65 and over, and 4% were 75 and over. Doctors found no overall differences in safety or effectiveness between these older subjects and the younger ones.
Overdose
An overdose of Acarbose doesn't cause hypoglycemia, which is the difference from sulfonylureas or insulin. What it can cause is a short rise in flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, and these settle soon afterwards. If someone has taken too much, they should not be given drinks or meals containing carbohydrates (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and disaccharides) for the next 4 to 6 hours.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Acarbose below 25° C and protect it from moisture.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Sugatrol 50 mg
What is Sugatrol 50 mg Tablet?
Sugatrol 50 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Acarbose. It is made by Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor group of medicines.
What is Sugatrol used for?
Sugatrol is used for: Diabetes Mellitus.
What are the side effects of Sugatrol?
Diarrhea, gas, upset stomach, constipation, or stomach discomfort can occur during the first few weeks as your body gets used to this medicine, and these effects usually ease with time. Sticking to your prescribed diet can help reduce them.
Can I take Sugatrol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy Category B. There isn't enough evidence yet to confirm that Acarbose is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Sugatrol?
An overdose of Acarbose doesn't cause hypoglycemia, which is the difference from sulfonylureas or insulin. What it can cause is a short rise in flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, and these settle soon afterwards. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Sugatrol?
Keep Acarbose below 25° C and protect it from moisture.
Can I take other medicines with Sugatrol?
Some medicines can interact with Acarbose, for example: Neomycin Sulfate + Bacitracin Zinc, Isoniazid, Phenytoin, Hydrocortisone Acetate + Neomycin Sulphate, Insulin (Human) 30/70. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Gluco-A by The ACME Laboratories Ltd. has the same ingredient and strength for ৳11.04 per unit, compared with ৳15.00 for Sugatrol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Do I need a prescription for Sugatrol?
Sugatrol is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.