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Review
. 2015 Oct 19;2(1):e000327.
doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2015-000327. eCollection 2015.

Acarbose: safe and effective for lowering postprandial hyperglycaemia and improving cardiovascular outcomes

James J DiNicolantonio  1 , Jaikrit Bhutani  2 , James H O'Keefe  1
Affiliations
Review

Acarbose: safe and effective for lowering postprandial hyperglycaemia and improving cardiovascular outcomes

James J DiNicolantonio et al. Open Heart. .

Abstract

α-Glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are a class of oral glucose-lowering drugs used exclusively for treatment or prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. AGIs act by altering the intestinal absorption of carbohydrates through inhibition of their conversion into simple sugars (monosaccharides) and thus decrease the bioavailability of carbohydrates in the body, significantly lowering blood glucose levels. The three AGIs used in clinical practice are acarbose, voglibose and miglitol. This review will focus on the cardiovascular properties of acarbose. The current available data suggest that AGIs (particularly acarbose) may be safe and effective for the treatment of prediabetes and diabetes.

Keywords: acarbose; alpha-glucosidase; type 2 diabetes.

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