A type 2 diabetic patient on acarbose along with a sulfonylurea develops symptomatic hypoglycemia. Which sugar should be used to treat this episode?
- A Table sugar dissolved in water
- B Fructose solution
- C Glucose tablets ✓
- D Maltose syrup
Correct answer: C. Glucose tablets
Explanation
Acarbose inhibits intestinal alpha-glucosidases, blocking the breakdown of complex carbohydrates and disaccharides such as sucrose into absorbable monosaccharides. During an acute hypoglycemic episode in a patient taking acarbose, sucrose or maltose will not be absorbed, so treatment must use pure glucose. Fructose does not correct neuroglycopenia effectively and is not the standard recommendation. This interaction is a classic examination point.
Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.