Glyset

Glyset is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It slows the breakdown and absorption of sugars and results in decreased blood sugar after meals.

Glyset Overview

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Glyset is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Glyset belongs to a group of drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. These work by slowing the action of certain chemicals that digest sugars, which results in decreased blood sugar after meals.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken three times a day, with the first bite of each main meal.

Common side effects of Glyset include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence.

In combination with other medications to treat diabetes, Glyset can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause blurred vision and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Glyset affects you.

How was your experience with Glyset?

First, a little about yourself

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What tips would you provide a friend before taking Glyset?

What are you taking Glyset for?

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  • Other
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Glyset work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Glyset to a friend?

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Glyset Cautionary Labels

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Uses of Glyset

Glyset is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes along with diet and exercise.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Glyset Drug Class

Glyset is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Glyset

Serious side effects have been reported with Glyset. See the "Glyset Precautions" section.

Common side effects of Glyset include:

  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • skin rash

This is not a complete list of Glyset side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Glyset Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • other medications for diabetes
  • digestive enzymes (Viokase, Pancrease, or Ultrase)
  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • propranolol (Inderal)
  • ranitidine (Zantac)
  • vitamins

This is not a complete list of Glyset drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Glyset Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with acarbose including the following:

  • Hypoglycemia. When used in combination with other medications to treat type 2 diabetes, acarbose can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:
    • shakiness
    • dizziness or lightheadedness
    • sweating
    • nervousness or irritability
    • sudden changes in behavior or mood
    • headache
    • numbness or tingling around the mouth
    • weakness
    • pale skin
    • hunger or thirst
    • clumsy or jerky movements
    • confusion
    • weakness
    • blurred vision

Do not take Glyset if you:

  • are allergic to Glyset or to any of its ingredients
  • have diabetic ketoacidosis
  • have cirrhosis
  • have inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, or partial intestinal obstruction
  • have chronic intestinal diseases or disorders of digestion or absorption
  • have conditions that may deteriorate as a result of increased gas formation in the intestine

Glyset Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Glyset, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking Glyset, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to Glyset or to any of its ingredients
  • have kidney problems
  • have liver problems
  • have gastrointestinal problems
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Glyset and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Glyset falls into category B.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Glyset. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Glyset and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Glyset has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Glyset, it is recommended that Glyset not be administered to nursing women.

Glyset Usage

Take Glyset exactly as prescribed.

Glyset comes in tablet form and is taken three times daily, with the first bite of each main meal.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Glyset at the same time.

 

Glyset Dosage

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication

The recommended starting dose of Glyset for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is 25 mg three times daily. Dose increases should be individualized on the basis of effectiveness and tolerance. The maximum recommended dose of Glyset is 100 mg three times daily.

Glyset Overdose

If you take too much Glyset, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Glyset is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Other Requirements

  • Store Glyset at room temperature.
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.