Absorption Tag's Archives

Cathartics and Enemas

Although the use of cathartics and enemas is traditional, these measures are most unlikely to reduce absorption since this usually occurs rap­idly in the upper small intestine. They can only add to the misery and discomfort of the patient Efficacy in removal of drug has never been es­tablished. In one recent study, saline catharsis had no beneficial effect whatsoever on the ab­sorption of aspirin taken with charcoal (Sketris et al. 1982).

Whole Gut Lavage

One situation where attempts to empty the bowel may be helpful is in poisoning with ’slow’ or ‘timed release’ formulations. The number of such preparations on the market is increasing and since they usually contain a much larger dose of drug than ordinary tablets, intoxication may be severe and prolonged.

haemodialysisHaemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, haemoperfusion, exchange transfusion and forced diuresis have all been used in attempts to increase the rate of removal of drugs and poisons. How­ever, the amount of active drug removed is often disappointingly small, and the indications for the use of such measures is very limited.

Never­theless, poisoned patients are often unnecessar­ily subjected to these potentially harmful meas­ures, and the literature is full of anecdotal accounts of miraculous recovery attributed to such treatment (Winchester et al. 1977). Prop­erly controlled clinical trials are difficult to carry out, and very few have been published. With the possible exception of forced alkaline di­uresis for poisoning with salicylate and long act­ing barbiturates such as phenobarbitone, none of these methods for enhancement of drug re­moval has ever been shown to reduce morbidity or mortality in poisoned patients (Todd 1984).

Indeed, some studies suggest the opposite result. This is not to say that such measures are never necessary, or indeed sometimes life saving, but a more critical appraisal of their role is required.

Brand name Glyset, Miglitol is prescribed for treating Diabetes Type 2 . This is an Antidiabetic medication. Generic Ingredients are :- Acarbose, Precose.
precose for diabetes

General Information of the drug

  • Miglitol works differently from other oral antidiabetes drugs, which control blood sugar levels by increasing the production of insulin or helping the body to use the hormone more efficiently.
  • Miglitol delays the digestion of carbohydrates (sugars) by acting in the cells that line the small intestine, where sugar is absorbed. This results in less sugar being absorbed into the blood and therefore, a lower blood-sugar level.
  • Miglitol also has some effect against the enzyme lactase, but usually does not cause lactose intolerance. Hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) is unlikely with miglitol because of the way the drug works in diabetes.