Pharmacotherapeutics of miglitol: an α-glucosidase inhibitor

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a morbid disease globally, with growing prevalence as time passes. Diabetes produces macrovascular and microvascular complications. The key cause of these complications is poorly precise postprandial hyperglycemia. Various anti-diabetic drugs are available for the management of DM and their consequences; however, they are not devoid of side effects. This mini-review highlights the important features of miglitol in term of their mechanism of actions, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions, indication/contraindications and drug-drug interactions. Monotherapy with miglitol is well tolerated, effective in patients with hyperglycemia. Furthermore, it has been also reported that miglitol is more effective than other drugs of the α-glucosidase inhibitors class, such as voglibose and acarbose in managing body weight gain