Miglitol

Miglitol is used, alone or with other drugs, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood), particularly in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet alone. It slows the breakdown and absorption of table sugar and other complex sugars in the small intestine. This process results in decreased blood sugar (hypoglycemia) levels following meals. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Miglitol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with the first bite of a meal. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take miglitol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

<p></p> <p>When used in combination with insulin or other medications used to treat diabetes, miglitol may cause excessive lowering of blood sugar levels.If you have any of the following symptoms, glucose products (Insta-Glucose or B-D Glucose tablets) should be used and you should call your doctor. Because miglitol blocks the breakdown of table sugar and other complex sugars, fruit juice or other products containing these sugars will not help to increase blood sugar. It is important that you and other members of your household understand this difference between miglitol and other medications used to treat diabetes.

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shakiness</li>
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dizziness or lightheadedness</li>
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sweating </li>
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nervousness or irritability</li>
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sudden changes in behavior or mood</li>
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headache</li>
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numbness or tingling around the mouth</li>
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weakness</li>
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pale skin </li>
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hunger</li>
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clumsy or jerky movements</li></ul>If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.

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confusion</li>
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seizures</li>
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loss of consciousness</li></ul></p> <p>Miglitol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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gas</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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skin rash</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p></p>

Before taking miglitol, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to miglitol or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for diabetes, digestive enzymes (Viokase, Pancrease, or Ultrase), digoxin (Lanoxin), propranolol (Inderal), ranitidine (Zantac), and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a chronic intestinal disease, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, or kidney disease.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.