Precose

Severe hypoglycemia is an emergency. Contact your doctor immediately if the symptoms occur.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Precose

When you take Precose with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before taking Precose with the following:

Airway-opening drugs such as Proventil
Calcium channel blockers (heart and blood pressure medications such as Cardizem and Procardia)
Charcoal tablets
Digestive enzyme preparations such as Creon 20 and Donnazyme
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Estrogens such as Premarin
Isoniazid (Rifamate)
Major tranquilizers such as Compazine and Mellaril
Nicotinic acid (Nicobid, Nicolar)
Oral contraceptives
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Steroid medications such as Deltasone and Prelone
Thyroid medications such as Synthroid and Thyrolar
Water pills (diuretics) such as HydroDIURIL, Enduron, Moduretic

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Precose during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Since studies suggest the importance of maintaining normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe injected insulin. It is not known whether Precose appears in breast milk. Because many drugs do appear in breast milk, you should not take Precose while breastfeeding.

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

The recommended starting dose of Precose is 25 milligrams (half of a 50-milligram tablet) 3 times a day, taken with the first bite of each main meal. Some people need to work up to this dose gradually and start with 25 milligrams only once a day. Your doctor will adjust your dosage at 4- to 8-week intervals, based on blood tests and your individual response to Precose. The doctor may increase the medication to 50 milligrams 3 times a day or, if needed, 100 milligrams 3 times a day. You should not take more than this amount. If you weigh less than 132 pounds, the maximum dosage is 50 milligrams 3 times a day.

If you are also taking another oral antidiabetic medication or insulin and you show signs of low blood sugar, your doctor will adjust the dosage of both medications.

CHILDREN

Safety and effectiveness of Precose in children have not been established.

Overdosage

An overdose of Precose alone will not cause low blood sugar. However, it may cause a temporary increase in gas, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. The symptoms will disappear quickly.