Miglitol adverse effects

Acarbose and miglitol have been reviewed (17,32,33). Their major adverse effects are flatulence, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and bloating, particularly at the start of therapy, which sometimes prevent further use. They should not be given to patients with intestinal obstruction, malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease, or hepatic impairment. 

In 33 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfo-nylureas and insulin who took miglitol 50 mg bd for 1 week and then over the next month increased the dose to 50 mg tds, 15% developed adverse effects (6% diarrhea, 6% abdominal distension), which disappeared within 3 weeks of continuing therapy (42). 

---