Precose Uses

Precose should be used when blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled by lifestyle changes (such as diet and exercise) alone. The medicine works by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates from the diet, thereby lowering blood sugar levels after meals. By lowering blood sugar, Precose can help decrease the chances of developing problems associated with high blood sugar, such as heart disease and kidney failure. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label Precose uses.

Precose Drug Info

What Is Precose Used For?

Precose^® (acarbose) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Part of a group of diabetes medications called alpha glucosidase inhibitors, it is used to lower blood sugar after meals.

Precose should be used when blood sugar cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone. The medicine can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications, including metformin (Fortamet^®, Glucophage^®, Glucophage XR^®, Glumetza^®, Riomet^®), insulin, or sulfonylureas (see Acarbose Alternatives for information about other medications for type 2 diabetes).

Using Precose for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes (see

Diabetes Types). It is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as well as they normally should. As a result, the cells do not take sugar out of the blood very well. This is why people with type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar.

Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of problems, including diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease (see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood. However, it is known that obesity and genetics play an important role in its development.

Precose is used for treating type 2 diabetes in people who cannot lower blood sugar through lifestyle changes (such as weight loss, diet, and exercise) alone. The medication slows the digestion of carbohydrates from the diet, which helps to decrease the rise in blood sugar that usually happens after meals.

(Precose Uses Continued: Page 2)