The use of acarbose in the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia.

This paper reviews the use of acarbose in the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia. In diet- or sulfonylurea-treated patients, acarbose may reduce the incidence of late postprandial hypoglycaemia. In insulin-treated patients, acarbose treatment usually requires reduction of the insulin dose; one study has shown that 100 mg acarbose at night significantly reduces the incidence of mid-evening and nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Several studies have suggested acarbose to be a useful adjunct to the management of reactive hypoglycaemia in the non-diabetic patients. Long-term prospective studies are still needed to document this last indication of acarbose or other alpha-glycosidase inhibitors.