Acarbose
Acarbose is an oral antidiabetic medication used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It works by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates in the intestines, which reduces the rise in blood glucose levels after meals.
Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor used to manage type 2 diabetes by slowing carbohydrate digestion to reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- A10BF01
- RxNorm
- 16681
- Generic
- Acarbose
- Class
- atc-a10
- Brands
- Precose
- Availability
- rx
- Pregnancy
- B
- Lactation
- safe
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- tablet
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 500mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 250mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 400mg daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
9 groupspregnancy
first trimesteruse lowest effective dose
use only if clearly needed and benefits outweigh potential risks
regular prenatal check-ups
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
second third trimesteruse lowest effective dose
continue only if benefits outweigh risks
regular fetal monitoring and blood glucose control
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
breastfeedingno adjustment needed
considered compatible with breastfeeding
monitor infant for gastrointestinal symptoms
geriatric
elderly over 65start with low dose 25mg
use lower initial doses and titrate slowly due to decreased renal function
monitor renal function and gastrointestinal tolerance
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
children under 18not recommended
not approved for use in children and adolescents
not applicable
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
renal_impairment
mild renal impairmentno dose adjustment needed for mild impairment
use with caution and monitor renal function
monitor serum creatinine regularly
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
moderate severe renal impairmentreduce dose and monitor closely
use with extreme caution due to potential metabolite accumulation
frequent renal function monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
hepatic_impairment
mild to moderate hepatic impairmentno specific dose adjustment
use with caution and monitor liver function tests
regular liver function monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
alcohol_users
alcohol consumptionavoid excessive alcohol
limit alcohol intake as it may cause hypoglycemia and increase gastrointestinal side effects
monitor blood glucose levels closely
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
Statistics and clinical data
FDA approval year
FDA approval date for Acarbose (Precose)
Drug class
ATC classification: A10BF01
Common uses
Primary therapeutic indications
Mechanism of action
Pharmacological mechanism
Used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly for controlling postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose levels. May be prescribed alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medications when diet and exercise alone are insufficient.
Acarbose inhibits alpha-glucosidase enzymes in the small intestine that break down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. By delaying this carbohydrate digestion, it reduces the rate of glucose absorption, leading to more gradual increases in blood sugar after eating.
Should be taken at the start of meals. Common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms such as flatulence, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea due to fermentation of undigested carbohydrates. May cause hypoglycemia if used with other diabetes drugs. Patients should maintain regular dental check-ups due to potential oral side effects.
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 24, 2026. · Read our editorial policy