acarbose at a glance
Medicine class
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
Main use
Improving glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Administration
Chew with the first mouthful of food or swallow whole with a little liquid immediately before eating
Hypoglycaemia
Unlikely when used alone, but possible with insulin or other glucose-lowering treatments
What is acarbose used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults with type 2 diabetes whose blood glucose is inadequately controlled by diet alone or by diet with oral glucose-lowering treatment.
Treatment alongside dietary management.
Use alone or with other oral glucose-lowering treatments when existing control is inadequate.
How does acarbose work?
Acarbose blocks intestinal alpha-glucosidase enzymes that break complex carbohydrates into absorbable sugars. Glucose therefore enters the bloodstream more slowly, reducing the post-meal rise. Very little active acarbose is absorbed into the body.
acarbose preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg
How to take acarbose
Follow the prescriber's directions and continue the recommended diabetes diet, which can help limit digestive side effects.
Chew the tablet with the first mouthful of food, or swallow it whole with a little liquid immediately before eating.
The score line helps with swallowing but does not divide the tablet into equal amounts.
acarbose side effects
Common or expected effects
- Wind or flatulence
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Less commonly, nausea, vomiting or indigestion
Get urgent medical advice
- Yellow skin or eyes, which may indicate liver injury
- Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating or inability to pass stool or wind
- A severe allergic reaction, particularly swelling or breathing difficulty
- An extensive blistering or pus-filled rash
acarbose in pregnancy
Acarbose is not recommended during pregnancy because clinical information is insufficient. Contact the diabetes team or prescriber if pregnant, planning pregnancy or pregnancy occurs.
acarbose while breastfeeding
Acarbose is not recommended while breastfeeding because effects on a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. Discuss alternative treatment with the prescriber.
acarbose interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements. Relevant interactions include:
Insulin and sulfonylureas
The combination can cause hypoglycaemia. Use glucose or dextrose rather than ordinary table sugar for rapid treatment.
Metformin and other glucose-lowering medicines
Blood glucose may fall too low when treatments are combined, so clinical review may be required.
Digoxin
Acarbose may alter digoxin availability, potentially requiring assessment and adjustment.
Common questions about acarbose
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can acarbose cause hypoglycaemia?
It does not usually cause hypoglycaemia by itself, but the risk increases with insulin or other glucose-lowering treatments.
How should hypoglycaemia be treated while taking acarbose?
Use glucose or dextrose. Ordinary table sugar works more slowly because acarbose delays its breakdown.
Why does acarbose cause wind and diarrhoea?
Undigested carbohydrate reaches the large bowel, where bacteria ferment it, producing gas and sometimes loose stools or discomfort.
Do digestive side effects improve?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.