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Published on: June 11, 2012
α-Glucosidase inhibitors and their use in clinical practice
Giuseppe Derosa1, Pamela Maffioli
1Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
Post-prandial hyperglycemia still remains a problem in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Of all available anti-diabetic drugs, α-glucosidase inhibitors seem to be the most effective in reducing post-prandial hyperglycemia. We conducted a review analyzing the clinical efficacy and safety of α-glucosidase inhibitors, both alone and in combination with other anti-diabetic drugs, with respect to glycemic control, inflammation and atherosclerosis. α-Glucosidase inhibitors proved to be effective and safe both in monotherapy and as an add-on to other anti-diabetic drugs. Compared to miglitol and voglibose, acarbose seems to have some additive effects such as stabling carotid plaques, and reducing inflammation. Acarbose also proved to reverse impaired glucose tolerance to normal glucose tolerance.
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