Precose was granted marketing clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Sept. 7, 1995. Type II diabetes is a serious life-threatening condition that affects 15 million Americans. Treatment focuses on controlling blood glucose levels.
Treatment initially begins with a diet and exercise regimen.
If this approach fails, oral agents are added. If they too are unsuccessful, daily insulin injections may be required. By slowing the digestion of carbohydrates, Precose is the first pharmacological agent to use the gut as a means to treat diabetes. Precose is available in 50 mg and 100 mg tablets for oral use. The initial recommended daily dose is to take half of a 50 mg tablet with the first bite of food at each of the three main meals.