Voglibose

Voglibose inhibits the hydrolase (alpha gluosidase) enzyme for disaccharides that catalyzes decoposition of disaccharides into monosaccharides in the intestine. Thereby, it delays the digestion and absorption of carbohydrate, resulting in improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia.

Indications

Improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus when sufficient effect has not been obtained in patients who have been using oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin preparations, in addition to dietary treatment and/ or exercise therapy.

Dosage

Single dose of 0.2mg, given three times a day, just before each meal. If the effect is not sufficient enough, the single dose may be increased up to 0.3mg, under close observation of the course of disease. Elderly: Since the elderly have a physiological hypofunction in general, the administration of Volibo should to be initiated at lower doses, (like single dose of 0.1mg).

Contra-Indications

Severe ketosis or in a state of Diabetic coma or pre-coma, severe infections, before or after operation or with serious trauma, Hypersensitivity.

Special Precautions

Chronic intestinal disease accompanied by a disturbance in digestion and absorption, voglibose may aggravate the pathological condition. Hepatic dysfunction or renal dysfunction, elderly patients. Pregnancy & Lactation

Side Effects

hypoglycemia, delay in digestion and absorption of disaccharides, abdominal pain and swelling, increased flatus, intestinal obstruction like symptoms, fulminant hepatitis, serious hepatic dysfunction with increased AST (GOT), ALT (GPT), LDH, gamma GTP or ALP, jaundice, diarrhea, loose stools, borborygmus, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, anemia, numbness, edema, blurred vision, hot flushes, malaise, weakness, hyperkalemia, increased serum amylase.

Drug Interactions

derivatives of sulfonylamide,sulfonylurea, biguanide derivatives, insulin preparations and agents improving insulin resistance causes hypoglycemia. Therefore, whenever voglibose is used in combination with these drugs, it should be initiated at a lower dose. Beta blockers, salicylic acid preparations, monoamine, oxidase inhibitors, fibrate derivatives and warfarin, epinephrine, adrenocortical hormone, thyroid hormone, etc.