Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors drugs

II.f.2.1. Oral hypoglycaemic agents. There are now five groups of orally active drugs available to lower blood glucose in clinical practice (Table 2). These are sulphonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and the incretin derivatives. 

When acarbose is combined with insulin, the greatest effects are seen with regimens that involve only once- or twice-daily administration. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitors seem to be less effective when they are combined with intensive insulin therapy (35). In combination with insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes can increase sucrose or higher carbohydrates are reported to be less effective, which can be understood from the mechanism of action. 

Rosenthal JH, Mauersberger H. Effects on blood pressure of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose compared with the insulin enhancer glibenclamide in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Drug Invest 2002 22(10) 695-701. 

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