What it means
An alpha-glucosidase inhibitor for type 2 diabetestipe too dy-uh-BEE-teezA form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.Full entry . It blocks the gut enzymes that break complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. Undigested carbohydrate reaches the colon, so gas, bloating and diarrhea are common. Alone, it does not cause low blood glucose.
For the nurse
Give it with the first bite of each main meal. If a client taking it with insulin or a sulfonylurea has low blood glucose, treat with glucose (dextrose) tablets or gel, not table sugar, because the drug slows the breakdown of sucrose.
At a glance
| Drug class | alpha-glucosidase inhibitor |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Precose |
| Also written | Precose |
Related terms
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
carbohydrate
One of the main nutrients in food, made of sugars and starches, that the body uses for energy.
type 2 diabetes
A form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.