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Critical evaluation of the role of acarbose in the treatment of diabetes: patient considerations
Received 29 May 2012
Accepted for publication 29 June 2012
Published 12 October 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 357—367
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S28340
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Christoph Rosak,1 Gabriele Mertes2
1Specialist for Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sachsenhausen Hospital, Frankfurt/Main, Germany; 2Retired, Mülheim, Germany
Abstract: The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose has been used for more than 20 years in the management of hyperglycemia. Owing to its unique mode of action in the gastrointestinal tract, its properties are very different from other antidiabetic medications. Patients on long-term treatment to control a chronic disease are not only interested in good treatment efficacy, but are also even more interested in the safety and side effects of their medications. Significant aspects of acarbose predominantly regarding safety and tolerability in the management of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are reviewed. It is concluded that acarbose is a convenient long-term treatment option, with benefits for both type 2 diabetics and patients in a prediabetic state.
Keywords: acarbose, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, patient considerations, side effects
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