Long-term treatment in diabetics with acarbose, a glucosidase inhibitor: efficacy, tolerability and effect on GI hormones.
12 months therapy with acarbose in 143 type I and type II patients markedly improved the metabolic control, assessed by fasting and postprandial blood glucose determination. During 5 year acarbose treatment GIP levels were decreased and enteroglucagon levels were elevated. After withdrawal of the drug for one week GIP levels increased and enteroglucagon concentrations fell. Thus, GI-hormone changes were reversible after discontinuation of acarbose. Tolerability of acarbose was good and clinical chemistry and haematology parameters showed no changes after 1-5 years acarbose therapy. Approximately 60% of the patients had intestinal symptoms which subsided again for most patients after 1-4 weeks therapy with acarbose. Body weight remained unchanged. The glucosidase inhibitor acarbose is a new effective and safe therapeutic concept in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
D020909:Acarbose; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide / Q000097:blood; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides / Q000097:blood; D005959:Glucosidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D014312:Trisaccharides; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D005959:Glucosidases; D020909:Acarbose