The following information is a summary about Glyset. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
What is miglitol?
Miglitol delays the digestion of carbohydrates (forms of sugar) in your body. This
decreases the amount of sugar that passes into your blood after a meal and prevents
periods of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Miglitol is used to treat non-insulin-dependent (Type II) diabetes mellitus.
Miglitol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should know about miglitol?
Take each dose of miglitol with the first bite of a main meal.
Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which include headache,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and, nausea. Carry
glucose tablets, paste, or another glucose or dextrose substance to treat episodes of low
blood sugar.
Who should not take miglitol?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
- an inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Chron's disease; or any other disease of the stomach or intestines;
- ulcers of the colon;
- a blockage or obstruction in your intestines; or
- kidney disease.
You may not be able to take miglitol, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above.
Call your doctor if you develop a fever or an infection, or if you experience a serious
injury. You may require insulin for a period of time to control your blood sugar levels.
Miglitol is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected
to harm an unborn baby. Do not take miglitol without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant. Miglitol passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take
miglitol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take miglitol?
Take miglitol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take each dose with the first bite of a main meal.
Store miglitol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. Symptoms of an overdose are
unknown, but stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea might be expected.
What should I avoid while taking miglitol?
Follow your doctor's diet and exercise recommendations to help control your blood
sugar levels.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may affect your blood sugar levels.
Miglitol side effects
Stop taking miglitol and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue,
or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects, are more likely to occur. Continue to take miglitol
and talk to your doctor if you experience
- abdominal pain,
- diarrhea,
- flatulence, or
- a rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect miglitol?
Digestive-enzyme supplements such as pancreatin (amylase, protease, lipase) in
products such as Arco-Lase, Cotazym, Donnazyme, Pancrease, Creon, Ku-Zyme, and
others may decrease the effects of miglitol. These medications should not be taken at the
same time as miglitol.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
- propranolol (Inderal);
- ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75);
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps),
- another diabetes medicine such as glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), metformin (Glucophage), and others;
- a thiazide diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), and others;
- a steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others;
- an estrogen (Premarin, Ogen, and others) or an estrogen-containing birth control pill;
- a thyroid medication (Synthroid, Levoxyl, and others);
- phenytoin (Dilantin); or
- a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), and others.
The drugs listed above may interact with miglitol or affect blood
sugar levels. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if
you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with miglitol or affect your
condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has more information about miglitol written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Miglitol is available with a prescription under the brand name Glyset. Other brand or
generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have
about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
- Glyset 25 mg-round, white, film-coated tablets
- Glyset 50 mg-round, white, film-coated tablets
- Glyset 100 mg-round, white, film-coated tablets
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
