What is Miglitol?
Miglitol slows down the breakdown of sugars (carbohydrates) by your body. It reduces the amount that enters your bloodstream after eating and helps to prevent hyperglycemia. When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, miglitol can help improve the blood sugar levels of adults who have type 2 diabetes. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Miglitol.
Side effects of Miglitol
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
Miglitol may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- severe diarrhea or constipation;
- Bloody or tarry stool;
- Rectal bleeding
- Diarrhoea that is bloody or contains mucus.
Miglitol can cause the following side effects:
- stomach discomfort;
- diarrhea;
- gas;
- Mild rash
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report adverse reactions by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Tresiba, Victoza, and Levemir
Warnings
Miglitol should not be used if you suffer from inflammation of the bowel( ulcerative colitis or Crohn's), a blockage, chronic digestive disorders, stomach problems, or excess gas. Miglitol should not be taken if you have diabetic ketoacidosis.
Before you take this drug
Miglitol should be avoided if:
- Crohn’s disease is ulcerative colitis.
- A chronic intestinal disease that can affect your digestion.
- Blockage of your intestinal tract;
- A stomach disorder that produces excess gas.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: Call your doctor to get insulin.
Tell your doctor about kidney problems if you want to be sure that miglitol will not harm you. Miglitol should not harm a baby in utero. If you plan to get pregnant or are already pregnant, tell your doctor. Miglitol may pass through breast milk, which can harm nursing babies. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking this medicine. This medication should not be given to any person under the age of 18 without consulting a doctor.
How to take Miglitol?
Usually, Miglitol should be taken three times per day before meals. Please follow the directions provided on your prescription. In order to get you the best possible results, your doctor might occasionally adjust your dosage. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not take more or longer than prescribed. Each dose should be taken along with the main course. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, may occur in anyone with diabetes. The symptoms include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Use a source of dextrose to quickly treat low sugar levels while taking miglitol (such as dates, raisins, or plums). Miglitol may inhibit sucrose's action in the body, so sucrose-based sugar sources are not recommended. Sucrose sources are cane sugar (table sugar), chocolate, sugar syrup, non-diet soda, or sweetened food. If you are suffering from severe hypoglycemia, your doctor may prescribe an emergency glucagon injection kit. Make sure that your close family members and friends are familiar with how to administer this emergency injection.
Stress, illness, surgeries, exercise, drinking alcohol, and skipping meals can all affect blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or dose schedule. Miglitol may be part of an overall treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and weight management, as well as regular testing for blood sugar levels. You should follow your doctor's advice. Keep away from heat and moisture. Store at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:
Dose individualization based on effectiveness and tolerance:
First dose: oral, 25 mg, 3 times per day.
After 4–8 weeks, you can increase the dose to 50mg orally three times per day, if necessary. If needed, after another 3 months, 100mg orally, 3 times daily, based on your glycosylated hemoglobin, is also an option.
Maintenance dose: between 50 and 100 mg, orally three times per day.
Dosage maximum: 100mg orally, 3 times per day.
Comments:
Take the medication orally with each meal. Patients should follow a diabetes diet in order to reduce GI symptoms.
Some patients may benefit by starting with 25mg orally, once a week. Then, titrating three times a day to reduce GI effects.
If no additional reduction is seen in HbA1c or postprandial sugar after 100mg three times per day, you may want to consider decreasing the dosage.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can use this product as an adjunct to diet and exercise and to help improve their glycemic levels.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take your medication. If your next dose is due shortly, don't take the missed one. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Reach out for poison help right away or seek immediate medical care by calling the Poison Help Line: 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions on foods, drinks, or activities, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Some digestive enzyme supplements can decrease miglitol's effects and shouldn't be taken together, such as:
- Pancreatin
- Arco-lase, cotazym, donnazyme, pancreas, creon, ku-zyme, and other products.
If you combine miglitol with other medications that lower blood glucose, such as insulin or oral diabetes medication, your risk of low blood sugar may increase. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
- Propranolol;
- Ranitidine.
This list is not exhaustive, and other medications can enhance or reduce the effect of miglitol on lowering blood sugar. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herb products. This medication guide does not list all interactions.
