Manufacturer: Acme Pharmaceutical
Salt Composition : Acarbose
Strip of 10 Tablet
(Inclusive of all taxes)
AC Z Tablet is used to treat people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps lower blood sugar levels after meals. It belongs to a group of medicines known as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. This medicine is usually prescribed in combination with other diabetes medications.
AC Z Tablet should be taken just before or along with the first few bites of the meal. 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. It 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.
This medicine's most common side effects include flatulence (gas), stomach pain, and diarrhea. Please consult your doctor if these bother you or do not go away.
AC Z Tablet 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).
Acarbose works by slowing the action of certain chemicals that break down food to release glucose (sugar) into your blood. Slowing food digestion helps keep blood glucose from rising very high after meals
Acarbose acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract on the surface of enterocytes. Only 2% of an oral acarbose dose is systemically absorbed, with a plasma half-life of 2 h. Acarbose is metabolized by the intestinal microbial flora and digestive enzymes and excreted in the stool.
Treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Acarbose use is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity, diabetic ketoacidosis, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or colonic ulceration
AC Z Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with AC Z Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
AC Z Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Acarbose is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Normally, your pancreas releases insulin into the blood stream after you eat. Insulin is used by all the cells in your body to help turn the food you eat into energy
Acarbose may decrease the bioavailability of digoxin and valproic acid. Acarbose may increase hypoglycemic risk when combined with other anti-diabetic agents that cause hypoglycemia. Digestive enzymes, including amylase, lipase, and protease, may decrease the effectiveness of acarbose
Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. AC Z Tablet is to be taken with food.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of AC Z Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Along with your regular doctor visit, you might also need regular check-ups with an eye clinic and a foot clinic as well.
Your doctor will also advise you to test for sugar in your blood using a home diabetes test kit regularly to check that your sugar level is being controlled.
Along with a healthy diet, indulge in light exercises regularly and quit smoking and drinking.
If you feel excessively thirsty, pass urine more frequently, and get tired easily, then let your doctor know. These are the signs of very high sugar levels in your blood and your treatment may need adjusting.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) may occur if AC Z Tablet is taken along with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol, or on delaying/skipping a meal. Check your blood sugar levels and have a snack/sugar source for immediate relief.
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. AC Z Tablet is to be taken with food.
Q. Does AC Z Tablet cause hypoglycemia?
AC Z Tablet does not cause hypoglycemia by itself though it has a glucose-lowering effect. However, a fall of blood sugar levels in the hypoglycemic range may occur when given along with other antidiabetic medicines or insulin. If this occurs, consult your doctor who may modify your dose accordingly.
Q. Why does AC Z Tablet cause flatulence?
AC Z Tablet blocks the digestion of carbohydrates which causes the accumulation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon. Bacterial fermentation of the accumulated carbohydrates causes intestinal gas, leading to flatulence and abdominal pain.
Q. Can AC Z Tablet cause diarrhea?
Yes, diarrhea is a common side effect of AC Z Tablet. However, this does not affect everybody. Any food containing carbohydrates, such as household sugar (cane sugar) can cause diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. If diarrhea persists or becomes severe, then contact your doctor immediately.
Q. When should AC Z Tablet be taken?
AC Z Tablet should be taken with your meals and should be swallowed whole with water or chewed with the first mouthful of food. The initial dose of AC Z Tablet is generally twice daily. The dose is then gradually increased to thrice daily.
