Recarb 50 Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Bal Pharma Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Acarbose (50mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Aminocyclitol glycosides |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI DIABETIC |
| Action Class | Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors |
| User Rating | 4.3 |
| User Reviews | 352 |
FAQ
When should Recarb 50 be taken?
Recarb 50 should be taken with your meals and should be swallowed whole with water or chewed with the first mouthful of food. The initial dose of Recarb 50 is generally twice daily. The dose is then gradually increased to thrice daily.
What will happen if more than the recommended dose of Recarb 50 is taken?
If you take more than the recommended dose of Recarb 50 then it may cause temporary increase in flatulence (accumulation of gas), diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. It is advised to avoid meals or drinks containing carbohydrates for the next 4-6 hours.
What if I forget to take Recarb 50?
If you forget to take a dose of Recarb 50, do not take the missed dose between meals. Wait for the scheduled dose and meal and continue taking your tablets as prescribed. Do not take the dose twice to make up for your forgotten tablets.
Does Recarb 50 cause hypoglycemia?
Recarb 50 does not cause hypoglycemia by itself though it has a glucose-lowering effect. However, a fall of blood sugar levels in the hypoglycemic range may occur when given along with other antidiabetic medicines or insulin. If this occurs, consult your doctor who may modify your dose accordingly.
Can Recarb 50 cause diarrhea?
Yes, diarrhea is a common side effect of Recarb 50. However, this does not affect everybody. Any food containing carbohydrates, such as household sugar (cane sugar) can cause diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. If diarrhea persists or becomes severe, then contact your doctor immediately.
Who should not take Recarb 50?
Recarb 50 should be avoided by patients who are allergic to it, have severe liver disease, or have inflammation or ulceration of intestine (eg Crohn’s disease). The use of Recarb 50 should also be restricted in patients who have an intestinal obstruction (cramping pain, vomiting, obstipation, and lack of flatus). In addition, patients who have a large hernia or an intestinal disease where food is not digested or absorbed properly should avoid Recarb 50. Along with that, Recarb 50 should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What will happen if more than the recommended dose of Recarb 50 is taken?
If you take more than the recommended dose of Recarb 50 then it may cause temporary increase in flatulence (accumulation of gas), diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. It is advised to avoid meals or drinks containing carbohydrates for the next 4-6 hours.
Why does Recarb 50 cause flatulence?
Recarb 50 blocks the digestion of carbohydrates which causes the accumulation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon. Bacterial fermentation of the accumulated carbohydrates causes intestinal gas, leading to flatulence and abdominal pain.
What if you forget to take Recarb Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Recarb 50, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Recarb 50 Tablet Reviews
Recarb 50 is used to treat people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps lower blood sugar levels after meals. It belongs to a group of medicines known as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. This medicine is usually prescribed in combination with other diabetes medications.
Recarb 50 should be taken just before or along with the first few bites of the meal. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your blood sugar levels. It may be increased gradually. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. If you do, your blood sugar levels may increase and put you at risk of serious complications like kidney damage and blindness.
This medicine is only part of a treatment program that should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight reduction as advised by your doctor. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking this medicine.
The most common side effects of this medicine are gastrointestinal discomfort and flatulence. Consult your doctor if these bother you or do not go away. Recarb 50 by itself does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). However, when used in combination with other diabetes medicines (especially insulin or sulphonylureas), it can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Such episodes of hypoglycemia should be treated by taking plain glucose. Table sugar or common sugar will not help correct low blood sugar levels if you are taking this medicine.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any kidney or liver problems. Do not take this medicine if you have ulceration or inflammation in the bowel (eg. ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease). Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Please tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking to make sure you are safe. Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
Recarb 50 should be taken just before or along with the first few bites of the meal. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your blood sugar levels. It may be increased gradually. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. If you do, your blood sugar levels may increase and put you at risk of serious complications like kidney damage and blindness.
This medicine is only part of a treatment program that should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight reduction as advised by your doctor. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking this medicine.
The most common side effects of this medicine are gastrointestinal discomfort and flatulence. Consult your doctor if these bother you or do not go away. Recarb 50 by itself does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). However, when used in combination with other diabetes medicines (especially insulin or sulphonylureas), it can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Such episodes of hypoglycemia should be treated by taking plain glucose. Table sugar or common sugar will not help correct low blood sugar levels if you are taking this medicine.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any kidney or liver problems. Do not take this medicine if you have ulceration or inflammation in the bowel (eg. ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease). Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Please tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking to make sure you are safe. Avoid excessive alcohol intake while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
How Recarb 50 Tablet Works
Recarb 50 is an anti-diabetic medicine. It inhibits the intestinal enzymes responsible for breaking complex sugars into simple sugars such as glucose. This prevents blood glucose levels from rising very high immediately after meals.
How to Use Recarb 50 Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Recarb 50 is to be taken with food.
Benefits of Recarb 50 Tablet
- In Treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Recarb 50 is a medicine that helps to control high blood glucose (sugar) levels when given in combination with other anti-diabetics. It works by slowing down the digestion and absorption of glucose (carbohydrates) from your digestive tract, thereby decreasing the rise in blood glucose levels immediately after meals.Lowering blood glucose levels is an essential part of managing diabetes and reduces the risk of getting serious complications of diabetes such as kidney or eye damage, nerve problems and loss of limbs.This medicine will also reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease if you have type 2 diabetes and already have cardiovascular disease. Taking this medicine regularly along with proper diet and exercise will help you live a normal, healthy life.
Uses of Recarb 50 Tablet
- Treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Recarb 50 Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Recarb 50. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
CAUTION
Recarb 50 should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Recarb 50 may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Recarb 50 is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Recarb 50 is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Liver
CAUTION
Recarb 50 should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Recarb 50 may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Recarb 50 is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Recarb 50 alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Recarb 50 may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- Along with your regular doctor visit, you might also need regular check-ups with an eye clinic and a foot clinic as well.
- Your doctor will also advise you to test for sugar in your blood using a home diabetes test kit regularly to check that your sugar level is being controlled.
- If you feel excessively thirsty, pass urine more frequently, and get tired easily, then let your doctor know. These are the signs of very high sugar levels in your blood and your treatment may need adjusting.
- Along with a healthy diet, indulge in light exercises regularly and quit smoking and drinking.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) may occur if Recarb 50 is taken along with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol, or on delaying/skipping a meal. Check your blood sugar levels and have a snack/sugar source for immediate relief.
References
- Acarbose [Package leaflet - information for the user]. Leverkusen, Germany: Bayer AG; 2017.
- Acarbose [EMC Label]. Kenton, UK: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited; 2018.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Acarbose. [Updated 2018 Oct 31].
- DailyMed. Acarbose [Drug Label Information].
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 6-7.
- Nolte MS. Pancreatic hormones and antidiabetic drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 743-44.
- Acarbose [Product Monograph]. Ottawa, ON: Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2019.
- Powers AC, D’Alessio D. Endocrine Pancreas and Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypoglycemia. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1264.