Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors

This medication works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates.

Side affects may include rumbling tummies, flatulence and even diarrhoea, at the start of treatment.

Pharmaceutical Name	Manufacturer's Name	Manufacturer/ Distributor	Presentation	Availability	Subsidy Level
Acarbose	Glucobay¹	Bayer	Blister packs² of 90 tablets. In two strengths: 50 mg tabs (white to yellow tinged round biconvex tablet with Bayer cross on one side and "G" and "50" on the reverse) 100 mg tabs (white to yellow tinged round biconvex tablet, scored, with Bayer cross on one side and "G" and "100" on the reverse)	Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once but Special Authority required³	Fully subsidised

Pharmaceutical Name

Manufacturer's Name

Manufacturer/ Distributor

Presentation

Availability

Subsidy Level

Acarbose

Glucobay¹

Picture of Glucobay tablets

Blister packs² of 90 tablets.

In two strengths:

50 mg tabs (white to yellow tinged round biconvex tablet with Bayer cross on one side and "G" and "50" on the reverse)

100 mg tabs (white to yellow tinged round biconvex tablet, scored, with Bayer cross on one side and "G" and "100" on the reverse)

Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once but Special Authority required³

Fully subsidised

View information about other oral medications:

For detailed information follow the link to Medsafe Consumer Medicines Information, and enter Glucobay in the search field. ↩
A Blister pack is a foil sheet with tablets arranged in rows and covered with plastic. The tablets are "popped out". ↩
Special Authority is an application process in which a prescriber requires approval from PHARMAC to be able to prescribe for a particular person. ↩

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