What side effects can this medication cause?  

When used in combination with insulin or other medications used to treat diabetes, acarbose may cause excessive lowering of blood sugar levels.

If you have any of these symptoms, glucose products (Insta-Glucose or B-D Glucose tablets) should be used and you should call your doctor. Because acarbose blocks the breakdown of table sugar and other complex sugars, fruit juice or other products containing these sugars will not help to increase blood sugar. It is important that you and other members of your household understand this difference between acarbose and other medications used to treat diabetes.

• shakiness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• sweating
• nervousness or irritability
• sudden changes in behavior or mood
• headache
• numbness or tingling around the mouth
• weakness
• pale skin
• hunger
• clumsy or jerky movements

If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.

• confusion
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):

• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• extreme hunger
• weakness
• blurred vision

If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the these symptoms:

• dry mouth
• upset stomach and vomiting
• shortness of breath
• breath that smells fruity