Drug reference

Voglibose

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor · Antidiabetic

Also known as Vogli, Volibo, Voglix, Voglinorm, Prandial, Diabose

START

0.2 mg with each main meal (chew with first bite of food); explain GI side effects are expected

TYPICAL MAX

0.3 mg TDS (0.9 mg/day)

STOP IF

Persistent severe GI symptoms, signs of intestinal obstruction, jaundice

WATCH

HbA1c at 3-monthly intervals, postprandial glucose, GI tolerance, weight

CDSCO approvedJan AushadhiNPPA price-controlledATC A10BF03

Dose laddermg/d

Renal dose adjustmenteGFR mL/min/1.73m²

KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label

Pharmacokineticsplasma · t hours

ONSET: 0s · Immediate local action with first bite of meal
PEAK: 1h · Peak effect during meal digestion
t½: 0s · N/A - local action, minimal systemic absorption
DURATION: 3h · Covers postprandial period

EXCRETION

Fecal (~99%, local action)

route + CYP

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

Not recommended in pregnancy; limited safety data

FDA category + note

Available in India

583 branded formulations and 52 fixed-dose combinations. Look up specific brands in the Drugs workspace.

Jan Aushadhi — generic available at GoI pharmacies

Mechanism

Competitive inhibition of intestinal alpha-glucosidase enzymes (maltase, sucrase, glucoamylase) in the brush border, delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption, thereby reducing postprandial glucose excursions

Indications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)Prediabetes / impaired glucose tolerance (in some markets)Prevention of type 2 diabetes progression

Dosing

Adult: 0.2 mg three times daily with meals (start of each meal); may increase to 0.3 mg TDS if needed
Pediatric: Not recommended in children under 18 years
Renal adjustment: No dose adjustment needed; minimal systemic absorption
Hepatic adjustment: No adjustment needed for mild-moderate; caution in severe
Geriatric: Start at 0.2 mg TDS; monitor for GI adverse effects
Max dose: 0.9 mg/day (0.3 mg TDS)

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

Immediate (acts locally in GI tract)

Peak effect

Postprandial glucose reduction evident at first meal

Duration

Duration of meal digestion (several hours)

Half-life

N/A (minimal systemic absorption; acts locally)

Bioavailability

<1% (negligible systemic absorption)

Protein binding

N/A

Metabolism

Minimal; locally metabolized by intestinal microbiota

Excretion

Fecal (~99%); renal (<1%)

Contraindications

Inflammatory bowel disease
Colonic ulceration
Partial intestinal obstruction or predisposition to intestinal obstruction
Severe hepatic impairment
Hypersensitivity to voglibose
Severe ketosis, diabetic coma, pre-coma states

Side effects

Common

FlatulenceAbdominal distensionDiarrheaSoft stoolsAbdominal pain

Serious

Hepatotoxicity (elevated LFTs, rare)
Intestinal obstruction (rare)
Hypoglycemia (when combined with sulfonylureas or insulin)
Severe allergic reactions (rare)

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Not recommended in pregnancy; limited safety data

Lactation

Minimal systemic absorption makes transfer to breast milk unlikely; generally considered compatible with breastfeeding

Drug interactions

Sulfonylureas

Moderate

Database

Additive glucose lowering increases hypoglycemia risk; must treat hypoglycemia with glucose (not sucrose)

If hypoglycemia occurs, use pure glucose/dextrose; sucrose will not work due to enzyme blockade