Contraindications & Precautions in Use of Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitor | Diabetes Mellitus

 

alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors include:

(1) acarbose (Precose)

(2) miglitol (Glyset)

 

Mechanism of action: decreased rate of absorption of carbohydrates from the gastrointestinal tract following meals

 

Contraindications to their use:

(1) renal failure

(2) liver disease (hepatic cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc)

(3) inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)

(4) ulceration in the small or large intestine

(5) intestinal obstruction

(6) diabetic ketoacidosis

(7) hypersensitivity to alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

(8) irritable bowel disease

 

Problems that may arise from the use of these agents:

(1) excessive gas (as luminal bacteria digest the carbohydrates)

(2) diarrhea

(3) bloating and abdominal discomfort