Acarbose

The label describes acarbose as an add-on to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

• Type 2 diabetes in adults, with diet and exercise

The label says acarbose does not increase insulin release. It blocks enzymes in the small intestine that break down starches and sugars.

This delays glucose absorption and lowers the rise in blood sugar after meals.

This page covers the US label for acarbose tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

The label says there is no fixed dose. It is individualised for effect and tolerance, up to a stated maximum of 100 mg three times daily.

The label describes taking it three times daily with the first bite of each main meal. Treatment starts at a low dose, such as 25 mg three times daily, and rises gradually to reduce stomach side effects.

If strongly distressing symptoms occur despite following the diabetic diet, the label says the doctor must be consulted and the dose may be reduced.

• Take with the first bite of each main meal
• Starts low and increases gradually
• Follow the prescribed diet

The label says acarbose is contraindicated with known hypersensitivity, diabetic ketoacidosis, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, partial intestinal obstruction, or chronic gut disease with digestion or absorption problems.

By itself it should not cause low blood sugar, but with a sulfonylurea or insulin it may. The label says to use oral glucose (dextrose), not table sugar, to treat mild to moderate low sugar.

• Not for diabetic ketoacidosis or cirrhosis
• Not for inflammatory bowel disease or bowel obstruction
• Low sugar risk rises with insulin or sulfonylureas
• Treat low sugar with glucose, not cane sugar

• Diuretics, steroids, thyroid products, estrogens
• Sulfonylureas and insulin
• Charcoal and digestive enzyme products
• The label says drugs that raise blood sugar can reduce control: thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel blockers and isoniazid.
• With sulfonylureas or insulin, low blood sugar may be more likely.
• The label also names intestinal adsorbents such as charcoal and digestive enzymes.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label also says to keep it away from moisture, keep the container tightly closed.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

We did not find acarbose in the Drugs Rules 1945 Schedule H, H1, X or G rows we checked, so we cannot state its Indian prescription status from our lists. Ask your pharmacist or doctor.

We did not find acarbose on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in the list we checked.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 3 product rows that mention acarbose. We did not capture prices for them.

Jan Aushadhi lists acarbose products including Acarbose Tablets IP 50 mg 50 mg; Acarbose Tablets IP 25 mg 25 mg; Acarbose 50mg and Metformin Hydrochloride 500mg Tablets 50mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.