Abstract
Detailed imaging studies of gas cysts in the intestinal mucosa (pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis) have been reported in around 20 patients taking acarbose, miglitolor voglibose, i.e. intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibitors used as hypoglycaemic agents. Almost all the patients had nonspecific abdominal symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, rectal bleeding or loss of appetite. They underwent multiple diagnostic tests before a role of the drug was raised. The disorders resolved completely when the drugs were withdrawn. In practice, as acarbose and miglitol have no proven impact on morbidity or mortality, and as they have multiple adverse effects, including gas cysts, they should not be used to treat diabetic patients.
MeSH terms
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1-Deoxynojirimycin / adverse effects
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1-Deoxynojirimycin / analogs & derivatives
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Acarbose / adverse effects
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects*
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Female
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Gases
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Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors*
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects*
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Inositol / adverse effects
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Inositol / analogs & derivatives
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Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
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Intestinal Mucosa / enzymology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / chemically induced*
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Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / diagnosis
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Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / enzymology
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Predictive Value of Tests
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Risk Assessment
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Risk Factors
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alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism
Substances
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Gases
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Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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miglitol
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1-Deoxynojirimycin
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Inositol
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alpha-Glucosidases
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voglibose
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Acarbose