Performance Comparison of Microfluidic and Immunomagnetic Platforms for Pancreatic CTC Enrichment
November 15, 2025
Free CME credits
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
acarbose, acarbosum, acarbosa
Class :
Antidiabetics, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors 
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
acarbose, acarbosum, acarbosa
Class :
Antidiabetics, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors 
Dosage forms & Strengths Â
Tablet Â
25mg Â
50mg Â
100mg
In the case of severe renal impairment, when serum creatinine is more than 2 mg/dl the medication is not recommended
In the case of hepatic consideration, if transaminase levels increase, reduce the dose or withdraw the therapy
:
Initial dose- 25 mg orally every 8 hours with meals
Maintenance dose- 50 mg orally every 8 hours; increase the dose after 4-8 weeks
Maximum dose- For <60 kg, 50 mg orally every 8 hours
For >60 kg, 100 mg orally every 8 hours
If there is no reduction in Hb1Ac or postprandial glucose seen with titration.
Consider dose reduction
The drug can be used in monotherapy of type 2 diabetes or can be combined with sulfonylurea
Safety and efficacy are not seen in pediatrics Â
Refer to the adult dosing Â
may enhance the risk of hyperglycemia when combined with acarbose
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with insulins
may increase the risk or severity of hypoglycemia when combined
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonylureas
may enhance the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with Acarbose
may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia when combined with acarbose
may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined
the chances of hypoglycemia are high when acarbose is taken with troglitazone
excessive ethanol with acarbose alters the blood sugar level
pramlintide and acarbose increase the effect of each other due to synergism
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
It may enhance the toxicity when combined with mipomersen
Combining mibefradil with acarbose can elevate the risk or seriousness of hypoglycemia
When medrysone is used in conjunction with acarbose, the risk or seriousness of hyperglycemia can rise
When used with levobetaxolol, acarbose can have an enhanced therapeutic effect
It may enhance the risk of bleeding when combined with nimesulide
When acarbose is used together with polythiazide, this leads to a reduction in the therapeutic effectiveness of acarbose
buserelin reduces the efficacy of acarbose when used in combination
When acarbose is used together with cyclothiazide, this results in a reduction in acarbose’s therapeutic efficacy
when acarbose is used in conjunction with prenylamine, there is an increased risk or severity of hypoglycemia
acarbose: it may increase the therapeutic efficacy of oxprenolol
acarbose: it may decrease the therapeutic efficacy of piperazine
acarbose: it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia with barnidipine
the efficacy of acarbose can be raised when used in combination with sulfametopyrazine
the potential or intensity of hyperglycemia can be heightened when flurandrenolide is combined with acarbose
When helometasone is used together with acarbose, this leads to elevated risk or seriousness of hyperglycemia
When acarbose is used together with diazoxide, this leads to reduction in therapeutic effectiveness of acarbose
methylprednisolone hemisuccinateÂ
When methylprednisolone hemisuccinate is aided with acarbose, this leads to elevated hyperglycemia risk
ciprofloxacin increases effects of acarbose by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use caution/monitor. Quinolone antibiotic administration may result in hyper- or hypoglycemia. .
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of antidiabetic agents
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of antidiabetic agents
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of antidiabetic agents
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of antidiabetic agents
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of antidiabetic agents
insulin degludec/insulin aspartÂ
may enhance the effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism
it decreases the effect of antidiabetic drugs
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect of corticosteroids
may increase the hypoglycaemic effect of beta blockers
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of hypoglycemia-associated agents
digitoxin serum concentration is reduced by acarbose
the efficacy of acarbose is enhanced with cinoxacin
the severity of hypoglycemia may be elevated when agmatine is coadministered with acarbose
the hypoglycaemic effects of acarbose may be increased
the therapeutic effects of acarbose may be reduced
the risk of hyperglycemia may be increased
the therapeutic activity of acarbose may be increased
the risk or extent of hypoglycemia may increase when acarbose is combined with insulin aspart
the risk or extent of hypoglycemia can be raised when acarbose is combined with insulin pork
the anti-diabetic efficacy of acarbose can be reduced with mometasone furoate
the hypoglycemic activity of acarbose may be increased
have the potential to increase the hypoglycemic impact of sulfonylureas
have the potential to increase the hypoglycemic impact of sulfonylureas
have the potential to increase the hypoglycemic impact of sulfonylureas
have the potential to increase the hypoglycemic impact of sulfonylureas
the severity of hyperglycemia can be raised when fluocortolone is taken with acarbose
Action:Â
Alpha glucosidase inhibitors act by reducing or delaying the action of specific enzymes in the small intestine where in complex carbohydrates are split into simpler sugars.Â
Slowing down the digestion of carbohydrate to the small intestines which helps to mitigate the rise in blood glucose concentrations after a meal.
Spectrum:Â
Acarbose’s range is restricted to its capacity to lower blood glucose levels after meals. Insulin secretion and fasting blood glucose levels are unaffected. To improve overall blood glucose control, it is typically used as an adjuvant treatment to other diabetic drugs, such as metformin or insulin.
Frequency defined Â
>10% Â
Abdominal pain  Â
Diarrhea  Â
Elevated serum transaminases Â
Flatulence  Â
Nausea Â
Jaundice Â
None Â
HypersensitivityÂ
Diabetic ketoacidosisÂ
Inflammatory bowel diseaseÂ
Intestinal obstructionÂ
Severe hepatic impairmentÂ
Renal impairmentÂ
Pregnancy and lactationÂ
Pregnancy consideration:  Â
Pregnancy category: Category B Â
Breastfeeding warnings:  Â
Excretion of acarbose in breastmilk is unknown; hence avoid its usage during lactation Â
Pregnancy category: Â
Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. Â
Category B: No evidence of risk to the fetus is found in animal reproduction studies, and there are not enough studies on pregnant women. Â
Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for a human product; Pregnant women must take care of the potential risks. Â
Category D: There is adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms. However, despite potential dangers may be used only in emergencies for potential benefits. Â
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. The drug is not for pregnant women. Â
Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category. Â
Acarbose is an alpha glucosidase inhibitor, a class of drugs that suppress the action of alpha glucosidase enzyme in the small intestines. In a management of type 2 diabetes, it is employed as an antihyperglycemic agent that helps to regulate blood glucose concentrations.
Pharmacodynamics:
Its action is to inhibit the alpha glucosidase enzyme present in the small intestine to reduce rate of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates from the ingested diet.
Acarbose works by combining with alpha glucosidase, thus inhibiting the enzyme’s ability to cleave complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars which can be absorbed in the bloodstream with a slower rate. As a result, following a meal, postprandial glucose levels decrease. Â
Pharmacokinetics: Â
Absorption Â
Onset of action takes place in 1 hour.Â
Distribution Â
Peak Plasma concentration is achieved in 1 hour.Â
Bioavailability is less than 2%.Â
Metabolism Â
The drug is extensively metabolized in intestine by digestive and bacterial enzymes.Â
The metabolites formed are 4-methylpyrogallol derivative.Â
Excretion and EliminationÂ
The drug is excreted 34% in urine as inactive metabolites and 51% as unabsorbed drug.Â
Acarbose should be administered along with food as this will reduce cases of side effects common with ingestions that include abdominal pain, flatulence, and diarrhea. They should also ensure that they take the correct amount that has been recommended by the doctor and not increasingly or decreasing the amount is advised.Â
Generic Name: acarbose Â
Pronounced: ah-KAR-bose Â
Why do we use acarbose? Â
Acarbose is the drug which is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It tends to block enzymes in the small intestine that would break down carbohydrates into simple sugars, hence limiting the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in foods. This leads to gradual and diminished rise in blood glucose levels after consuming food which can aid in managing the levels of blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes.
Acarbose may also be used in combination with other drugs to manage diabetes. It is most beneficial for those who have prediabetes or diabetes because it can help manage blood sugar levels in cases when dieting and exercising are not sufficient.Â
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.
A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.
When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.
