Oral anti-diabetic drugs

Description

• Uncontrolled and untreated postprandial hyperglycaemia in diabetes is an independent risk factor for progression of atherosclerosis, increased oxidative stress and Cardio Vascular Diseases. Evidence also indicates that postprandial hyperglycaemia is a better indicator of glycaemic control than fasting hyperglycaemia.
• Postprandial hyperglycaemia thus, becomes one of the prime concerns for diabetic complications and managing postprandial glucose levels has gained substantial importance. Anti-diabetic treatments targeting the elevated postprandial glucose levels, therefore, assist in the better management of diabetes, drastically reducing the rate of complications.
• The anti-hyperglycaemic action of voglibose results from a reversible inhibition of the membrane-bound intestinal Alpha-glucoside hydrolase enzymes which hydrolyze oligosaccharides and disaccharides to glucose and other monosaccharides in the brush border of the small intestine. In diabetic patients, this enzyme inhibition results in delayed glucose absorption and lowering of postprandial hyperglycaemia.

Indications

•  As Monotherapy in Type 2 Diabetes, VOLIPHAGE^® is indicated as an adjunct to diet to improve glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus whose hyperglycaemia cannot be managed with diet alone.
•  In combination with other antidiabetic agents in Type 2 Diabetes when adequate glycaemia control especially post prandial glucose levels are not achieved with sulphonylurea sulphonylurea or metformin monotherapy.
• In addition to Insulin in Type 1 Diabetes to improve postprandial blood glucose elevations and reduce HbA1C in insulin-dependent patients (poorly controlled on Insulin alone).
•  VOLIPHAGE^® may prove particularly beneficial in elderly patients and those with hepatic impairment or mild to moderate renal impairment, in which other oral anti-diabetic drugs are contraindicated or need to be used with caution.

Dosage

• Dosage of VOLIPHAGE^® must be individualized on the basis of both effectiveness and tolerance while not exceeding the maximum recommended dosage of 0.6 mg.
• A dose of 0.2 mg thrice daily before meals has been effective in Type 2 Diabetes and is recommended. VOLIPHAGE^® should be administered in conjunction with diet treatment or diet plus OHA and dose titration to a higher dose of 0.3 mg before meals is recommended only if the response is not seen with 0.2 mg of VOLIPHAGE^®.