This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Glucobay is an anti-diabetic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and, in some countries, prediabetes. It works by slowing down the enzyme that turns carbohydrates into glucose; this decreases blood sugar levels following a meal. Glucobay may be used alone, in combination with other oral diabetes medicines, or with insulin.

How to Take

The recommended starting dose of Glucobay is 25 milligrams (half of a 50-milligram tablet) 3 times a day, taken with the first bite of each main meal. Some people need to work up to this dose gradually and start with 25 milligrams only once a day. Your doctor will adjust your dosage at 4- to 8-week intervals, based on blood tests and your individual response to this medicine. The doctor may increase the medication to 50 milligrams 3 times a day or, if needed, 100 milligrams 3 times a day. You should not take more than this amount. If you weigh less than 132 pounds, the maximum dosage is 50 milligrams 3 times a day.

If you are also taking another oral antidiabetic medication or insulin and you show signs of low blood sugar, your doctor will adjust the dosage of both medications.

Safety and effectiveness of Glucobay in children have not been established.

Warning and Precautions

Every 3 months during your first year of treatment, your doctor will give you a blood test to check your liver and see how it is reacting to Glucobay. While you are taking Glucobay, you should check your blood and urine periodically for the presence of abnormal sugar (glucose) levels.

Even people with well-controlled diabetes may find that stress such as injury, infection, surgery, or fever results in a loss of control over their blood sugar. If this happens to you, your doctor may recommend that Glucobay be discontinued temporarily and injected insulin used instead.

When taken alone, Glucobay does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), but when you take it in combination with other medications such as Diabinese or Glucotrol, or with insulin, your blood sugar may fall too low. If you have any questions about combining Glucobay with other medications, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

The effects of Glucobay during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Since studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe injected insulin. It is not known whether Glucobay appears in breast milk. Because many drugs do appear in breast milk, you should not take Glucobay while breastfeeding.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Symptoms may include diarrhea; gas; stomach pain or discomfort. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Storage

Keep the container tightly closed. Protect from temperatures above 77°F. Store away from moisture.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects: bloating; diarrhea; gas; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting, severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe stomach pain; yellowing of skin or eyes. Seek medical attention right away if any side effects occur.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Glucobay. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.