Alpha-glucosidase inhibitorPrescription only
Acarbose
Tablet
Quick Summary
Acarbose reduces blood sugar spikes after meals.
Type 2 diabetes
Medical Uses
Type 2 diabetes: Mainly for after-meal sugar.
How it's taken
Take with the first bite of each main meal.
Your doctor decides the right dose for you and how long to take it.
Your doctor decides the right dose for you. Follow their instructions and the label.
Common Side Effects
Wind and bloating
Common.
Diarrhoea
Sometimes.
Tummy pain
Sometimes.
Interactions
Other diabetes medicines
Low sugar risk.
Critical Warnings
Treating low sugar
Black Box Warning: Use glucose, not table sugar, if low sugar happens with other medicines.
Bowel conditions
Not suitable for some.
Sources and further reading
Last updated 21 October 2026. For more detail, see these trusted health organisations.
- Acarbose: drug information(opens in a new tab) · MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine