Acarbose

What is Acarbose?

Acarbose helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Unlike other common medications, it works by slowing down the digestion of complex carbohydrates into smaller sugars, and this helps to lower blood sugar levels. It’s used to treat type 2 diabetes when lifestyle changes alone don’t help.

When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond to insulin well enough, glucose builds up in the body. Over time, this buildup can develop into type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable condition, with exercise and diet change being the first line of treatment. But if after implementing these lifestyle changes your blood sugar remains high, you might be recommended prescription medication like Acarbose.

How does Acarbose work?

Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. It slows down the digestion of carbohydrates in the gut by inhibiting the enzyme called alpha-glucosidase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates into glucose so it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. By delaying digestion, the amount of glucose that’s absorbed is reduced, preventing a blood sugar spike after a meal.^[1]

In simple terms, Acarbose delays breaking down big sugars into smaller sugar molecules so they can’t be absorbed. This decreases the amount of sugar in the bloodstream, lowering blood sugar levels.

The remaining ’unbroken’ sugar is too large to be absorbed, so it’s eventually excreted in the stool.

What doses of Acarbose are there?

Acarbose comes in two doses: 50mg and 100mg.

The initial dose is 50mg a day, which is increased to 50mg three times a day for around 8 weeks.

If your blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled, the dose can be further increased to 100mg or 200mg three times a day.

How to take Acarbose

You can chew or swallow Acarbose. If you choose to swallow it, take the tablet whole with some water just before a meal. If you prefer to chew it, do so with your first mouthful of food.

Whichever way you take it, make sure it’s taken immediately before a meal to prevent a blood sugar spike. Taking Acarbose with food can also reduce the likelihood of side effects.

While on Acarbose, it’s recommended that you follow a low-sugar diet plan and exercise regularly. Adhering to these guidelines will further help lower your blood sugar levels.

What foods can’t I eat while on Acarbose?

It’s recommended that you avoid sucrose, like cane and granulated sugar, and any foods containing it, as they can cause abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Instead, it’s better to stick to foods with glucose sugars or dextrose.

If you experience hypoglycemia, don’t use sucrose-containing sugars to treat it, and try to use glucose-based sugars instead. You can usually find glucose tablets or syrups at most pharmacies or online.

How long does Acarbose take to work?

Acarbose works quickly within one to two hours after taking it to prevent a rise in your blood sugar levels after a meal.

But it will require eight weeks of daily use to see the long-term benefits. Until this time, continue taking it consistently, even if you don’t notice much difference in your blood sugar readings.

After eight weeks, if you don’t see any improvements, contact your doctor and they may either increase your dose or suggest an alternative treatment.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Acarbose?

If you accidentally take too much Acarbose, get medical help immediately. Don’t eat anything containing carbohydrates until you’ve seen a doctor, as it might worsen your symptoms.

If you forgot to take a dose, don’t worry. Simply skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual with a meal. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one or take it between meals as this could cause hypoglycemia.