Miglitol is an oral anti-diabetic drug that acts by
inhibiting the ability of the patient to breakdown complex
carbohydrates into glucose. It is primarily used in diabetes
mellitus type 2 for establishing greater glycemic control by
preventing the digestion of carbohydrates (such as disaccharides,
oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides) into monosaccharides which
can be absorbed by the body. Miglitol inhibits glycoside hydrolase
enzymes called alpha-glucosidases. Since miglitol works by
preventing digestion of carbohydrates, it lowers the degree of
postprandial hyperglycemia. It must be taken at the start of main
meals to have maximal effect. Its effect will depend on the amount
of non-monosaccharide carbohydrates in a person's diet. In contrast
to acarbose (another alpha-glucosidase inhibitor), miglitol is
systemically absorbed; however, it is not metabolized and is
excreted by the kidneys.
