Availability<\/strong><\/td>\n Prescription only<\/td>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDosing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Acarbose tablets come in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg dosage strengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recommended starting dose is 25 mg taken by mouth three times daily with the first bite of each main meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 4 to 8 weeks, your provider may adjust your dose based on how well the medication controls your blood sugar levels. A typical maintenance dose usually ranges from 50 mg to 100 mg taken by mouth three times daily with the first bite of each main meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note:<\/strong> Dosing information below is educational only. Your prescribing physician will determine your specific dose based on your individual health needs. Always follow your healthcare provider\u2019s instructions for exact dosing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nUses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n FDA-Approved Uses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAcarbose tablets are FDA-approved for managing type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Off-Label Uses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYou may see acarbose tablets prescribed for uses that are not “FDA-approved.” This is a very common and legal practice called “off-label” prescribing, where a doctor uses their clinical judgment to prescribe a drug for a different (but well-researched) purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are currently no common off-label uses for acarbose.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPlease enable JavaScript to use the signup form.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/noscript>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\tSide Effects<\/h2>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Like all medications, acarbose tablets can cause side effects. Some common side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Other side effects may be serious and require medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n
\nExcessive gas<\/li>\n\n\n\n Diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n Abdominal bloating<\/li>\n\n\n\n Stomach pain or cramps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSerious Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n
Serious side effects are rare, but it’s important to know what to look for if they do occur. Stop using acarbose tablets and call your doctor immediately if you experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSevere allergic reactions:<\/strong> Symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing; racing heart; severe rash or itching; and\/or fever.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\nLow blood sugar (hypoglycemia):<\/strong> Acarbose can cause low blood sugar when combined with insulin or other diabetes medications. Symptoms include fast heartbeat, sweating, blurry vision, dizziness, slurred speech, hunger, headache, shakiness, and seizures.<\/li>\n\n\n\nPneumatosis cystoides intestinalis:<\/strong> This is a rare condition where air becomes trapped in the intestinal walls. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, constipation, or mucus discharge or rectal bleeding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCall your doctor immediately if you experience any concerning or prolonged symptoms.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\nPharmacist Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTake Your Dose With The First Bite Of Each Meal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Acarbose works best when it\u2019s taken at the beginning of your main meals of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carry Glucose Tablets With You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Low blood sugar can occur if you take acarbose with other medications that lower blood sugar, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Regular table sugar (sucrose) will not work quickly enough to raise your blood sugar, so it\u2019s important to have glucose (dextrose) tablets on hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider Limiting Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It is recommended to limit alcohol consumption when taking acarbose, as it can affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Store At Room Temperature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Acarbose tablets should be stored at 68\u00b0F to 77\u00b0F (20\u00b0C to 25\u00b0C) in a cool, dry place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell Your Provider If You\u2019re Pregnant Or Breastfeeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It is not known if acarbose tablets can affect pregnancy or pass into breast milk, so risk cannot be ruled out. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so they can advise whether this medication is safe for you to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try To Avoid Missing A Dose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you miss a dose of acarbose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it\u2019s already been a while since you ate. In that case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled with your next main meal. Do not take double or extra doses of acarbose to make up for a missed one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drug Interactions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Certain medications and substances can interact with acarbose tablets, potentially altering how it works or increasing the risk of side effects. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDiabetes medications:<\/strong> Taking acarbose with insulin or sulfonylureas like glipizide increases the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).<\/li>\n\n\n\nCharcoal: <\/strong>Acarbose should not be taken with charcoal as it can affect how well acarbose works.<\/li>\n\n\n\nDigestive enzymes:<\/strong> Medications containing amylase or pancreatin (such as Creon or Zenpep) can interfere with how well acarbose works.<\/li>\n\n\n\nDigoxin: <\/strong>Acarbose can interact with this medication.<\/li>\n\n\n\nBlood sugar-altering drugs:<\/strong> Certain medications \u2014 such as thiazides, corticosteroids, birth control pills, and estrogens \u2014 have the potential to raise blood sugar levels. Abruptly stopping them while on acarbose could lead to a drop in blood sugar.<\/li>\n\n\n\nBlood pressure medications:<\/strong> Beta-blockers (like metoprolol and propranolol) and other medications for high blood pressure can mask the warning signs of low blood sugar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nAlways give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements to check for potential interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\tFAQs<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n
\n\t\n\t\tWhat happens if I forget my pill?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
If you forget a dose and remember shortly after your meal, you can still take it. But if it has been a while since you ate, the medication may not work as well since the food has already been digested. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your normal schedule with your next meal. Never take double doses of acarbose.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tCan I skip my dose if I am eating a zero-carb or keto meal?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Acarbose is designed to slow the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into sugars. It\u2019s best to ask your healthcare provider whether you can skip a dose when eating a strictly zero-carb meal.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tWill taking acarbose help me lose weight like Ozempic or Wegovy does?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Acarbose is not meant to be used as a weight loss medication.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tCan I safely take over-the-counter Gas-X, Phazyme, or Beano to stop indigestion?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
You should speak with your provider before taking OTC gas medications like Beano. Some of these products can prevent acarbose from working properly.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tIs it safe to take this at the same time as my daily metformin or glipizide pills?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Acarbose can often be safely taken with metformin, as they work in different parts of the body to lower blood sugar. However, taking acarbose with glipizide (a sulfonylurea) increases your risk of experiencing low blood sugar, so it\u2019s best to ask your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tWill taking this medication by itself cause my blood sugar to crash?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
When used on its own, acarbose is not likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tIs there a difference between brand name Precose and generic acarbose?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
The brand name Precose has been officially discontinued, so the medication is currently only available under its generic name, acarbose.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tIs it safe to use this medication if I am currently pregnant or breastfeeding?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
It is not known if acarbose tablets can affect pregnancy or pass into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant so they can advise whether this medication is safe for you to use.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tDoes acarbose interact badly with cholesterol medications?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Acarbose is not known to directly interact with cholesterol medications like statins. However, it\u2019s always recommended to share a full list of medications and supplements with your healthcare provider so they can check for possible interactions.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tDo you have to take acarbose with your first bite of your meal?<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Yes. To be most effective, it is highly recommended to take acarbose with the first bite of each main meal. This allows it to work directly in your gut within minutes of eating.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n