Miglitol

(2R, 3R, 4R, 5S ) -1 - ( 2-hydroxyethyl ) -2 - ( hydroxymethyl) piperidine-3 ,4,5 -triol

A10BF02

Antidiabetic

α - glucosidase inhibitor blood sugar

114 ° C.

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Miglitol is a drug which is used for medical treatment of non - insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, when the blood sugar by diet alone or in combination with sulfonylureas can not be adequately controlled. It is ranked among the oral antidiabetic agents.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Miglitol inhibits the enzyme in the intestinal α -glucosidase. Thereby, the degradation of polysaccharides into monosaccharides is delayed as a function of the dose and after a meal, the blood sugar does not rise so quickly. The absorption of glucose from the small intestine will not be affected. Miglitol acts exclusively in the intestine.

Pharmacokinetics

The amount of the active ingredient which is absorbed after ingestion of colon depends on the dose. In small doses up to 25 mg, it is almost completely absorbed into the bloodstream. At 50 mg, there are 90 % and at 100 mg only 60 %. It is distributed mainly in the extracellular space and has low binding to plasma proteins of less than four percent. It is excreted unchanged and almost entirely by the kidneys. Only less than one percent is excreted via the bile. The half-life in healthy subjects is between two and three hours.

Side effects

Miglitol alone can not cause hypoglycemia, but increase the blood sugar lowering effect of insulin and sulfonylureas.

Since miglitol delays the breakdown of carbohydrates, this may increasingly undigested pass into the large intestine and cause very frequent complaints in the form of flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and constipation often ( dyspepsia).

Trade names

Diastabol (A, D, CH, EU), Glyset (USA)