What
is the most important information I should know about Precose?
* Take each dose of Precose with the first bite of a meal.
* Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
which include shaking; headache; sweating; pale, cool skin; fast
heartbeats; drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; hunger; confusion;
nausea; nervousness or anxiety; or difficulty concentrating. Carry
a piece of non-dietetic, sugary hard candy or glucose tablets with
you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
What is Precose?
* Precose delays the digestion of carbohydrates (forms of sugar)
in the body. This decreases the amount of sugar that passes into
the blood after a meal and prevents periods of hyperglycemia (high
blood sugar).
* Precose is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
* Precose may also be used for purposes other than those listed
in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
Precose?
* Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
o inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's
disease, or any other disease of the intestines;
o ulcers of the colon;
o a blockage or obstruction in the intestines;
o liver disease; or
o kidney disease.
* You may not be able to take Precose, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above.
* Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or an infection, require
surgery, or if you experience a serious injury. Illness or injury
may cause a loss of blood sugar control and insulin (or an adjustment
of a current insulin dose) may be required for a period of time.
* Precose is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it
is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Generally, insulin
is the drug of choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy.
Do not take Precose without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
* Precose passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant.
Do not take Precose without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Precose?
* Take Precose exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor
to explain them to you.
* Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
* Take each dose with the first bite of a meal.
* It is important to take Precose regularly to get the most benefit.
* Your doctor may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels
with blood or urine tests or other medical evaluations during treatment
with Precose to monitor progress and side effects.
* Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or an infection, require
surgery, or if you experience a serious injury. Illness or injury
may cause a loss of blood sugar control and insulin (or an adjustment
of a current insulin dose) may be required for a period of time.
* Store Precose at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
* For maximum effectiveness, Precose should be taken with the
first bite of a meal. A missed dose taken within 15 minutes of the
first bite of a meal will still be effective and should be taken
as soon as remembered. If more than 15 minutes have passed since
the first bite of the meal, a missed dose of Precose may still be
taken, although the effectiveness of the medication will be reduced.
If a missed dose is not remembered until the next meal, skip the
missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose.
What happens if I overdose?
* Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
* An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. Symptoms
of an overdose are unknown, but stomach pain, gas, bloating, and
diarrhea might be expected.
What should I avoid while taking Precose?
* Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
* Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication
before you undergo any surgery.
* Do not take any over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, pain, or
weight-loss medications without first talking to your doctor.
* Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may affect blood sugar levels.
What are the possible side effects of Precose?
* Stop taking Precose and seek emergency medical attention if
you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
* No other serious side effects have been reported from the use
of Precose. Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual or
especially bothersome side effects.
* Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
which include shaking; headache; sweating; pale, cool skin; fast
heartbeats; drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; hunger; confusion;
nausea; nervousness or anxiety; or difficulty concentrating. Carry
a piece of non-dietetic, sugary hard candy or glucose tablets with
you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
* Some gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain is likely to
be experienced. Diarrhea may also occur. These side effects usually
lessen with time.
* Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Precose?
* Digestive-enzyme supplements such as pancreatin (amylase, protease,
lipase) in products such as Arco-Lase, Cotazym, Donnazyme, Pancrease,
Creon, Ku-Zyme, and others may decrease the effects of Precose.
These medications should not be taken at the same time as Precose.
* Before taking Precose, tell your doctor if you are taking any
of the following medicines:
o a thiazide diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ,
Hydrodiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone),
indapamide (Lozol), and others;
o a steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone), methylprednisolone
(Medrol), and others;
o an estrogen (Premarin, Ogen, others) or an estrogen-containing
birth control pill;
o a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine
(Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan), and others;
o a thyroid medication (Synthroid, Levoxyl, others);
o phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); or
o a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin),
diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat),
and others.
* The drugs listed above do not necessarily affect the actions of
Precose directly, but they are known to affect blood sugar levels.
Special monitoring may be necessary.
* Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Precose
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
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