Abacus

What are the side effects you encounter while taking this medicine?  No   Yes

Abacus uses

• Description
• Indications and usage
• Contraindications
• Precautions
• Adverse reactions
• Overdosage
• Dosage and administration
• How supplied
• Mg tablets
• Mg tablets
• Mg tablets
• Mg 100 tablets unit dose package
• Abacus reviews

DESCRIPTION

Abacus^® (acarbose tablets) is an oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor for use in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Abacus is an oligosaccharide which is obtained from fermentation processes of a microorganism, Actinoplanes utahensis, and is chemically known as O-4,6-dideoxy- 4-[[(1S,4R,5S,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]amino]-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-D-glucose. It is a white to off-white powder with a molecular weight of 645.6. Abacus is soluble in water and has a pKa of 5.1. Its empirical formula is C₂₅H₄₃NO₁₈ and its chemical structure is as follows:

Figure 2: Effects of Abacus (■) and Placebo (●) on mean change in HbA1c levels from baseline throughout a one-year study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used in combination with: (A) diet alone; (B) sulfonylurea; (C) metformin; or (D) insulin. Treatment differences at 6 and 12 months were tested: * p < 0.01; # p = 0.077.

Figure 1 Figure 2

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Abacus is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Abacus is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug. Abacus is contraindicated in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis or cirrhosis. Abacus is also contraindicated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, partial intestinal obstruction or in patients predisposed to intestinal obstruction. In addition, Abacus is contraindicated in patients who have chronic intestinal diseases associated with marked disorders of digestion or absorption and in patients who have conditions that may deteriorate as a result of increased gas formation in the intestine.

PRECAUTIONS

General

Macrovascular Outcomes

There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with Abacus or any other anti-diabetic drug.

Hypoglycemia

Because of its mechanism of action, Abacus when administered alone should not cause hypoglycemia in the fasted or postprandial state. Sulfonylurea agents or insulin may cause hypoglycemia. Because Abacus given in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin will cause a further lowering of blood glucose, it may increase the potential for hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia does not occur in patients receiving metformin alone under usual circumstances of use, and no increased incidence of hypoglycemia was observed in patients when Abacus was added to metformin therapy. Oral glucose, whose absorption is not inhibited by Abacus, should be used instead of sucrose (cane sugar) in the treatment of mild to moderate hypoglycemia. Sucrose, whose hydrolysis to glucose and fructose is inhibited by Abacus, is unsuitable for the rapid correction of hypoglycemia. Severe hypoglycemia may require the use of either intravenous glucose infusion or glucagon injection.

Elevated Serum Transaminase Levels

In long-term studies (up to 12 months, and including Abacus doses up to 300 mg t.i.d.) conducted in the United States, treatment-emergent elevations of serum transaminases (AST and/or ALT) above the upper limit of normal (ULN), greater than 1.8 times the ULN, and greater than 3 times the ULN occurred in 14%, 6%, and 3%, respectively, of PRECOSE-treated patients as compared to 7%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, of placebo-treated patients. Although these differences between treatments were statistically significant, these elevations were asymptomatic, reversible, more common in females, and, in general, were not associated with other evidence of liver dysfunction. In addition, these serum transaminase elevations appeared to be dose related. In US studies including Abacus doses up to the maximum approved dose of 100 mg t.i.d., treatment-emergent elevations of AST and/or ALT at any level of severity were similar between PRECOSE-treated patients and placebo-treated patients (p ≥ 0.496).

In approximately 3 million patient-years of international postmarketing experience with Abacus, 62 cases of serum transaminase elevations > 500 IU/L (29 of which were associated with jaundice) have been reported. Forty-one of these 62 patients received treatment with 100 mg t.i.d. or greater and 33 of 45 patients for whom weight was reported weighed < 60 kg. In the 59 cases where follow-up was recorded, hepatic abnormalities improved or resolved upon discontinuation of Abacus in 55 and were unchanged in two. Cases of fulminant hepatitis with fatal outcome have been reported; the relationship to Abacus is unclear.

Loss of Control of Blood Glucose

When diabetic patients are exposed to stress such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery, a temporary loss of control of blood glucose may occur. At such times, temporary insulin therapy may be necessary.

Information for Patients

Patients should be told to take Abacus orally three times a day at the start of each main meal. It is important that patients continue to adhere to dietary instructions, a regular exercise program, and regular testing of urine and/or blood glucose.

Abacus itself does not cause hypoglycemia even when administered to patients in the fasted state. Sulfonylurea drugs and insulin, however, can lower blood sugar levels enough to cause symptoms or sometimes life-threatening hypoglycemia. Because Abacus given in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin will cause a further lowering of blood sugar, it may increase the hypoglycemic potential of these agents. Hypoglycemia does not occur in patients receiving metformin alone under usual circumstances of use, and no increased incidence of hypoglycemia was observed in patients when Abacus was added to metformin therapy. The risk of hypoglycemia, its symptoms and treatment, and conditions that predispose to its development should be well understood by patients and responsible family members. Because Abacus prevents the breakdown of table sugar, patients should have a readily available source of glucose (dextrose, D-glucose) to treat symptoms of low blood sugar when taking Abacus in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin.

If side effects occur with Abacus, they usually develop during the first few weeks of therapy. They are most commonly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal effects, such as flatulence, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort, and generally diminish in frequency and intensity with time.

Laboratory Tests

Therapeutic response to Abacus should be monitored by periodic blood glucose tests. Measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin levels is recommended for the monitoring of long-term glycemic control.

Abacus, particularly at doses in excess of 50 mg t.i.d., may give rise to elevations of serum transaminases and, in rare instances, hyperbilirubinemia. It is recommended that serum transaminase levels be checked every 3 months during the first year of treatment with Abacus and periodically thereafter. If elevated transaminases are observed, a reduction in dosage or withdrawal of therapy may be indicated, particularly if the elevations persist.

Monitoring glycemic control with 1,5-AG assay is not recommended as measurements of 1,5-AG are unreliable in assessing glycemic control in patients taking Abacus. Use alternative methods to monitor for glycemic control.

Renal Impairment

Plasma concentrations of Abacus in renally impaired volunteers were proportionally increased relative to the degree of renal dysfunction. Long-term clinical trials in diabetic patients with significant renal dysfunction have not been conducted. Therefore, treatment of these patients with Abacus is not recommended.

Drug Interactions

Certain drugs tend to produce hyperglycemia and may lead to loss of blood glucose control. These drugs include the thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel-blocking drugs, and isoniazid. When such drugs are administered to a patient receiving Abacus, the patient should be closely observed for loss of blood glucose control. When such drugs are withdrawn from patients receiving Abacus in combination with sulfonylureas or insulin, patients should be observed closely for any evidence of hypoglycemia.

Patients Receiving Sulfonylureas or Insulin: Sulfonylurea agents or insulin may cause hypoglycemia. Abacus given in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause a further lowering of blood glucose and may increase the potential for hypoglycemia. If hypoglycemia occurs, appropriate adjustments in the dosage of these agents should be made. Very rarely, individual cases of hypoglycemic shock have been reported in patients receiving Abacus therapy in combination with sulfonylureas and/or insulin.

Intestinal adsorbents (for example, charcoal) and digestive enzyme preparations containing carbohydrate-splitting enzymes (for example, amylase, pancreatin) may reduce the effect of Abacus and should not be taken concomitantly.

Abacus has been shown to change the bioavailability of digoxin when they are coadministered, which may require digoxin dose adjustment. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Drug-Drug Interactions.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility

Eight carcinogenicity studies were conducted with Abacus. Six studies were performed in rats and two studies were performed in hamsters.

In the first rat study, Sprague-Dawley rats received Abacus in feed at high doses (up to approximately 500 mg/kg body weight) for 104 weeks. Abacus treatment resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of renal tumors (adenomas and adenocarcinomas) and benign Leydig cell tumors. This study was repeated with a similar outcome. Further studies were performed to separate direct carcinogenic effects of Abacus from indirect effects resulting from the carbohydrate malnutrition induced by the large doses of Abacus employed in the studies. In one study using Sprague-Dawley rats, Abacus was mixed with feed but carbohydrate deprivation was prevented by the addition of glucose to the diet. In a 26-month study of Sprague-Dawley rats, Abacus was administered by daily postprandial gavage so as to avoid the pharmacologic effects of the drug. In both of these studies, the increased incidence of renal tumors found in the original studies did not occur. Abacus was also given in food and by postprandial gavage in two separate studies in Wistar rats. No increased incidence of renal tumors was found in either of these Wistar rat studies. In two feeding studies of hamsters, with and without glucose supplementation, there was also no evidence of carcinogenicity.

Abacus did not induce any DNA damage in vitro in the CHO chromosomal aberration assay, bacterial mutagenesis (Ames) assay, or a DNA binding assay. In vivo, no DNA damage was detected in the dominant lethal test in male mice, or the mouse micronucleus test.

Fertility studies conducted in rats after oral administration produced no untoward effect on fertility or on the overall capability to reproduce.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B

The safety of Abacus in pregnant women has not been established. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats at doses up to 480 mg/kg and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Abacus. In rabbits, reduced maternal body weight gain, probably the result of the pharmacodynamic activity of high doses of Abacus in the intestines, may have been responsible for a slight increase in the number of embryonic losses. However, rabbits given 160 mg/kg Abacus (corresponding to 10 times the dose in man, based on body surface area) showed no evidence of embryotoxicity and there was no evidence of teratogenicity at a dose 32 times the dose in man (based on body surface area). There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies of Abacus in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of the human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Because current information strongly suggests that abnormal blood glucose levels during pregnancy are associated with a higher incidence of congenital anomalies as well as increased neonatal morbidity and mortality, most experts recommend that insulin be used during pregnancy to maintain blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.

Nursing Mothers:

A small amount of radioactivity has been found in the milk of lactating rats after administration of radiolabeled Abacus. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, Abacus should not be administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use:

Safety and effectiveness of Abacus in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use:

Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of Abacus in the United States, 27% were 65 and over, while 4% were 75 and over. No overall differences in safety and effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects. The mean steady-state area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentrations of Abacus were approximately 1.5 times higher in elderly compared to young volunteers; however, these differences were not statistically significant.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Digestive Tract

Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common reactions to Abacus. In U.S. placebo-controlled trials, the incidences of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence were 19%, 31%, and 74% respectively in 1255 patients treated with Abacus 50–300 mg t.i.d., whereas the corresponding incidences were 9%, 12%, and 29% in 999 placebo-treated patients.

In a one-year safety study, during which patients kept diaries of gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain and diarrhea tended to return to pretreatment levels over time, and the frequency and intensity of flatulence tended to abate with time. The increased gastrointestinal tract symptoms in patients treated with Abacus are a manifestation of the mechanism of action of Abacus and are related to the presence of undigested carbohydrate in the lower GI tract.

If the prescribed diet is not observed, the intestinal side effects may be intensified. If strongly distressing symptoms develop in spite of adherence to the diabetic diet prescribed, the doctor must be consulted and the dose temporarily or permanently reduced

Elevated Serum Transaminase Levels

See PRECAUTIONS .

Other Abnormal Laboratory Findings

Small reductions in hematocrit occurred more often in PRECOSE-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients but were not associated with reductions in hemoglobin. Low serum calcium and low plasma vitamin B₆ levels were associated with Abacus therapy but are thought to be either spurious or of no clinical significance.

Postmarketing Adverse Event Reports

Additional adverse events reported from worldwide postmarketing experience include fulminant hepatitis with fatal outcome, hypersensitive skin reactions, edema, ileus/subileus, jaundice and/or hepatitis and associated liver damage, thrombocytopenia, and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (see PRECAUTIONS ).

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis

There have been rare postmarketing reports of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis associated with the use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, including Abacus. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis may present with symptoms of diarrhea, mucus discharge, rectal bleeding, and constipation. Complications may include pneumoperitoneum, volvulus, intestinal obstruction, intussusception, intestinal hemorrhage, and intestinal perforation. If pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is suspected, discontinue Abacus and perform the appropriate diagnostic imaging.

OVERDOSAGE

Unlike sulfonylureas or insulin, an overdose of Abacus will not result in hypoglycemia. An overdose may result in transient increases in flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort which shortly subside. In cases of overdosage the patient should not be given drinks or meals containing carbohydrates (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and disaccharides) for the next 4–6 hours.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

There is no fixed dosage regimen for the management of diabetes mellitus with Abacus or any other pharmacologic agent. Dosage of Abacus must be individualized on the basis of both effectiveness and tolerance while not exceeding the maximum recommended dose of 100 mg t.i.d. Abacus should be taken three times daily at the start of each main meal. Abacus should be started at a low dose, with gradual dose escalation as described below, both to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and to permit identification of the minimum dose required for adequate glycemic control of the patient. If the prescribed diet is not observed, the intestinal side effects may be intensified. If strongly distressing symptoms develop in spite of adherence to the diabetic diet prescribed, the doctor must be consulted and the dose temporarily or permanently reduced.

During treatment initiation and dose titration, one-hour postprandial plasma glucose may be used to determine the therapeutic response to Abacus and identify the minimum effective dose for the patient. Thereafter, glycosylated hemoglobin should be measured at intervals of approximately three months. The therapeutic goal should be to decrease both postprandial plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels to normal or near normal by using the lowest effective dose of Abacus, either as monotherapy or in combination with sulfonylureas, insulin or metformin.

Initial Dosage

The recommended starting dosage of Abacus is 25 mg given orally three times daily at the start (with the first bite) of each main meal. However, some patients may benefit from more gradual dose titration to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. This may be achieved by initiating treatment at 25 mg once per day and subsequently increasing the frequency of administration to achieve 25 mg t.i.d.

Maintenance Dosage

Once a 25 mg t.i.d. dosage regimen is reached, dosage of Abacus should be adjusted at 4–8 week intervals based on one-hour postprandial glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and on tolerance. The dosage can be increased from 25 mg t.i.d. to 50 mg t.i.d. Some patients may benefit from further increasing the dosage to 100 mg t.i.d. The maintenance dose ranges from 50 mg t.i.d. to 100 mg t.i.d. However, since patients with low body weight may be at increased risk for elevated serum transaminases, only patients with body weight > 60 kg should be considered for dose titration above 50 mg t.i.d.. If no further reduction in postprandial glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin levels is observed with titration to 100 mg t.i.d., consideration should be given to lowering the dose. Once an effective and tolerated dosage is established, it should be maintained.

Maximum

Dosage:

The maximum recommended dose for patients ≤ 60 kg is 50 mg t.i.d. The maximum recommended dose for patients > 60 kg is 100 mg t.i.d.

Patients Receiving Sulfonylureas or Insulin:

Sulfonylurea agents or insulin may cause hypoglycemia. Abacus given in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin will cause a further lowering of blood glucose and may increase the potential for hypoglycemia. If hypoglycemia occurs, appropriate adjustments in the dosage of these agents should be made.

HOW SUPPLIED

Abacus is available as 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg round, unscored tablets. Each tablet strength is white to yellow-tinged in color. The 25 mg tablet is coded with the word “PRECOSE” on one side and “25” on the other side. The 50 mg tablet is coded with the word “PRECOSE” and “50” on the same side. The 100 mg tablet is coded with the word “PRECOSE” and “100” on the same side. Abacus is available in bottles of 100 and 50 mg strength in unit dose packages of 100.

Do not store above 25°C. Protect from moisture. For bottles, keep container tightly closed.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Whippany, NJ 07981

Manufactured in Germany

©2015 Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

3/15

25 mg Tablets

80498595 NDC 50419-863-51

Abacus^®

(acarbose tablets)

25 mg

100 Tablets

Rx Only

50 mg Tablets

80498609 NDC 50419-861-51

Abacus^®

(acarbose tablets)

50 mg

100 Tablets

Rx Only

100 mg Tablets

80498625 NDC 50419-862-51

Abacus^®

(acarbose tablets)

100 mg

100 Tablets

Rx Only

50 mg 100 Tablets Unit Dose Package

80498617 NDC 50419-861-48

Abacus^®

(acarbose tablets)

50 mg

100 Tablets

Rx Only

50 mg Unit Dose

Abacus pharmaceutical active ingredients containing related brand and generic drugs:

• Acarbose

Abacus available forms, composition, doses:

• Tablets; Oral; Acarbose 50 mg

Abacus destination | category:

• Human:
• Antidiabetic agents

Abacus Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes:

• A10BF01 - Acarbose

Abacus pharmaceutical companies:

• Emcure Pharmaceuticals

References

1. Dailymed."PRECOSE (ACARBOSE) TABLET [BAYER HEALTHCARE PHARMACEUTICALS INC.]". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym... (accessed August 28, 2018).
2. Dailymed."ACARBOSE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym... (accessed August 28, 2018).
3. "acarbose". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/co... (accessed August 28, 2018).

Frequently asked Questions

Depending on the reaction of the Abacus after taken, if you are feeling dizziness, drowsiness or any weakness as a reaction on your body, Then consider Abacus not safe to drive or operate heavy machine after consumption. Meaning that, do not drive or operate heavy duty machines after taking the capsule if the capsule has a strange reaction on your body like dizziness, drowsiness. As prescribed by a pharmacist, it is dangerous to take alcohol while taking medicines as it exposed patients to drowsiness and health risk. Please take note of such effect most especially when taking Primosa capsule. It's advisable to consult your doctor on time for a proper recommendation and medical consultations.

Medicines are not designed with the mind of creating an addiction or abuse on the health of the users. Addictive Medicine is categorically called Controlled substances by the government. For instance, Schedule H or X in India and schedule II-V in the US are controlled substances.

Please consult the medicine instruction manual on how to use and ensure it is not a controlled substance.In conclusion, self medication is a killer to your health. Consult your doctor for a proper prescription, recommendation, and guidiance.

Review

Visitor reports

Visitor reviews

The information was verified by Dr. Rachana Salvi, MD Pharmacology