Is it necessary to continue taking Acarbose tablets once you start?
Disease description:
I have recently been taking acarbose tablets. I would like to ask the doctor, once I start taking acarbose tablets, can I not stop the medication?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Acarbose tablets are not drugs that cannot be discontinued once started.
Acarbose is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It primarily lowers postprandial blood glucose by delaying the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines. Whether acarbose needs to be used continuously mainly depends on the patient's blood glucose control and the doctor's recommendation. Acarbose tablets are not addictive and will not cause a situation in which patients cannot discontinue the medication after use. When starting acarbose, patients should regularly monitor their blood glucose to evaluate the drug's effectiveness. If blood glucose is well controlled and there are no significant side effects, the doctor may recommend continuing the medication. However, with lifestyle adjustments such as changes in diet, exercise, or weight loss, some patients may gradually reduce the dosage, or even discontinue the medication under a doctor's guidance. Nevertheless, for patients with severe diabetes, discontinuation of the medication during treatment is not recommended, as it may lead to worsening of the condition.
In addition, if patients experience intolerable adverse reactions or allergic responses, such as abdominal bloating, diarrhea, rash, or if the drug's efficacy is inadequate and blood glucose remains poorly controlled while taking acarbose tablets, discontinuation or switching of medication should occur under a doctor's supervision.
