Acarbose and insulin therapy in type I diabetes mellitus.

In this paper relevant studies are summarized regarding the use of acarbose as an adjunct to insulin in the treatment of type I diabetes. It is concluded that this approach may contribute to a reduction of postprandial blood glucose excursions and a smoothening of daily blood glucose profiles, an improvement of metabolic control as expressed by glycosylate haemoglobin values and a reduction of insulin requirements. Long-term studies are, however, necessary before one can conclude that addition of acarbose to the therapeutic regimen in type I diabetic subjects is of longstanding value.