Glyset (Miglitol) for Diabetes

Overview
Glyset is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Glyset is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise. Glyset is also referred to by its drug name, Miglitol.

Glyset is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. Glyset is believed to work by blocking or slowing the breakdown of starches and some sugars in the intestines, moderating the rise of glucose levels in the blood after meals.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Glyset is generally taken three or more times a day with the first bite of a meal.

Glyset comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Glyset lists common side effects including gas, bloating, diarrhea, upset stomach, and stomach pain.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Glyset include pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (gas cysts in the bowel wall).