Voglibose

Voglibose is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps control the high blood sugar levels in your body after each meal. It is used when other similar medicines along with a restricted diet, are unable to control abnormally high blood sugar levels. Voglibose should be taken just before a meal or along with the first mouthful of food. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your blood sugar levels. The dose may be increased gradually. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. If you do, your blood sugar levels may increase and put you at risk of serious complications like kidney damage and blindness. This medicine is only part of a treatment program that should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight reduction as advised by your doctor. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking this medicine. The most common side effects of this medicine include skin rash, flatulence (gas), stomach pain, and diarrhea. Please consult your doctor if these bother you or do not go away. This medicine by itself does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). However, when used in combination with other diabetes medicines (especially insulin or sulphonylureas), it can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Such episodes of hypoglycemia should be treated by taking plain glucose. Table sugar or common sugar will not help correct low blood sugar levels if you are taking this medicine. Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any kidney or liver problems. Do not take this medicine if you have ulceration or inflammation in the bowel (eg. ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease). Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Please tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking to make sure you are safe. Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Voglibose is an anti-diabetic medicine. It inhibits the intestinal enzymes responsible for breaking complex sugars into simple sugars such as glucose. This prevents blood glucose levels from rising very high immediately after meals.

: Indicated for NIDDM (monotherapy or combined with other oral hypoglycaemic agents/insulin), prevention of type 2 diabetes in impaired glucose tolerance, glycogen storage disease type Ib, and non-diabetic hyperinsulinemia.

Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor

Anti-diabetic agent / Carbohydrate digestion inhibitor

Acts as a competitive inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase enzymes in the brush border of the small intestine, delaying the digestion and absorption of complex carbohydrates to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia.

Voligbose has general properties similar to acarbose and selectively inhibits α-glucosidase in the enteric canal, delaying the digestion and absorption of carbohydrate, thereby suppressing sharp increase in post-prandial plasma glucose.

Adult Dose: Oral Diabetes mellitus Adult: 200-300 mcg tid. Elderly: Initiate at lower doses.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Voglibose is to be taken with food.

If you miss a dose of Voglibose, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common: • Skin rash • Flatulence • Abdominal pain • Diarrhea

[SAFE] Voglibose does not usually affect your ability to drive. Voglibose is used together with other diabetes medicines to control blood sugar and avoid long-term complications. You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and take your other diabetes medicines along with Voglibose. Voglibose lowers your post-meal blood sugar levels. Therefore, it should be taken before meals. Side effects such as stomach pain, gas, and diarrhea may occur during the first few weeks of treatment but should get better with time.

Inflammatory bowel disease; GI obstruction or patients predisposed to it; conditions which may deteriorate as a result of increased gas formation eg, hernia; severe ketosis; diabetic coma or pre-coma; severe infection; hypersensitivity; pregnancy; lactation. Not to be used as monotherapy in IDDM.

May enhance effects of other antidiabetics including insulin.

[UNSAFE] It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Voglibose.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Voglibose is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Voglibose is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Elderly patients require careful administration starting at a lower dose (0.1 mg) due to physiological hypofunction and close monitoring of gastrointestinal symptoms and blood sugar.

[CAUTION] Voglibose should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Voglibose may be needed. Please consult your doctor. [CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Voglibose in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

Does not cause hypoglycemia. May result in a transient increase in flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Manage with supportive care.

Store in a cool (below 30°C) and dry place, away from light. Keep out of children's reach.

A branched-chain cyclitol derivative functioning as an oligosaccharide analogue.