Acarbose 50mg tablets
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Acarbose is a complex oligosaccharide that acts as an inhibitor of several enzymes responsible for the breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the intestines.
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Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Acarbose
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Acarbose
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19 branded products available
MHRA licensed products
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Acarbose 50mg tablets
Acarbose 50mg tablets
Acarbose 50mg tablets
Acarbose 50mg tablets
Acarbose 50mg tablets
Acarbose 50mg tablets
Acarbose 50mg tablets
This is the NHS Drug Tariff indicative price used for reimbursement purposes. It may not reflect the price paid by patients or pharmacies.
View full Drug TariffSource: NHS Drug Tariff via NHSBSA. Derived from dm+d VMPP (Virtual Medicinal Product Pack) pricing data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
300 mg
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via the NHS dm+d supplementary BNF/ATC mapping files (NHSBSA). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(2)
Type 2 diabetes: insulin degludec (ESNM25)
Diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in children and young people: diagnosis and management (NG18)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
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NHS UK identifiers
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing all 30 studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 3 · Randomised trials: 2 · 2002–2026
Showing all 30 studies, sorted by most relevant.
R. Holman, R. Coleman, J. Chan, et al.
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 2017
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Coronary Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
J. Chiasson, R. Josse, R. Gomis, et al.
Lancet, 2002
- Blood Glucose
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Hypoglycemic Agents
Biqing Wang, Junnan Zhao, Qiuxiao Zhan, et al.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2021
Background: Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is an independent predictive factor of all-cause mortality in older people. Drug management has not achieved a satisfactory effect yet. In recent years, many studies have found that acarbose may be effective in the treatment of PPH with glucose metabolism disorders. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of acarbose on PPH with glucose metabolism disorders. Methods: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science, Clinical Trials, and relevant Chinese databases were searched from inception to October 1, 2020. Randomized controlled studies of acarbose in the treatment of PPH with glucose metabolism disorders were included. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for quality evaluation and meta-analysis. GRADEpro GDT software was used to GRADE the evidence for the research objectives. Results: A total of 4 randomized controlled studies including 202 participants were identified after screening. The meta-analysis showed that acarbose significantly attenuated the decrease in postprandial systolic blood pressure [weighted mean difference (MD): −9.84, 95% CI: −13.34 to −6.33], diastolic blood pressure (MD: −6.86, 95% CI: −12.89 to −0.83), and mean arterial pressure (MD: −8.10, 95% CI: −12.40 to −3.49) compared with the control group. One study reported a case of adverse reactions that included mild abdominal distension in the acarbose group (4.8%, 1/21). No adverse reactions were reported in the other three studies. Conclusion: Acarbose may attenuate the decrease in postprandial blood pressure and avoid the occurrence of PPH in patients with PPH and abnormal glucose metabolism disorders. More clinical trials are needed to make a clear conclusion. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020171335.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Byron J. Smith, Richard A. Miller, A. Ericsson, et al.
BMC Microbiology, 2019
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome
- Bacteria
- Fatty Acids, Volatile
BACKGROUND: Treatment with the α-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose increases median lifespan by approximately 20% in male mice and 5% in females. This longevity extension differs from dietary restriction based on a number of features, including the relatively small effects on weight and the sex-specificity of the lifespan effect. By inhibiting host digestion, acarbose increases the flux of starch to the lower digestive system, resulting in changes to the gut microbiota and their fermentation products. Given the documented health benefits of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the dominant products of starch fermentation by gut bacteria, this secondary effect of acarbose could contribute to increased longevity in mice. To explore this hypothesis, we compared the fecal microbiome of mice treated with acarbose to control mice at three independent study sites. RESULTS: Microbial communities and the concentrations of SCFAs in the feces of mice treated with acarbose were notably different from those of control mice. At all three study sites, the bloom of a single bacterial taxon was the most obvious response to acarbose treatment. The blooming populations were classified to the largely uncultured Bacteroidales family Muribaculaceae and were the same taxonomic unit at two of the three sites. Propionate concentrations in feces were consistently elevated in treated mice, while the concentrations of acetate and butyrate reflected a dependence on study site. Across all samples, Muribaculaceae abundance was strongly correlated with propionate and community composition was an important predictor of SCFA concentrations. Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the fecal concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and propionate were, together, predictive of mouse longevity even while controlling for sex, site, and acarbose. CONCLUSION: We observed a correlation between fecal SCFAs and lifespan in mice, suggesting a role of the gut microbiota in the longevity-enhancing properties of acarbose. Treatment modulated the taxonomic composition and fermentation products of the gut microbiome, while the site-dependence of the responses illustrate the challenges facing reproducibility and interpretation in microbiome studies. These results motivate future studies exploring manipulation of the gut microbial community and its fermentation products for increased longevity, testing causal roles of SCFAs in the observed effects of acarbose.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Jichen Yang, Xiaoli Wang, Chuanying Zhang, et al.
Food chemistry, 2021
- alpha-Glucosidases
- Binding Sites
- Diabetes Mellitus
J. Chiasson, R. Josse, R. Gomis, et al.
JAMA, 2003
- Blood Glucose
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
M. Ni, Xing Hu, D. Gong, et al.
Food Hydrocolloids, 2020
Byron J. Smith, Richard A. Miller, T. Schmidt
mSphere, 2020
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome
- Bacteria
- Fatty Acids, Volatile
showed signs of specialization for starch fermentation, presumably providing them a competitive advantage in the large intestine of animals consuming acarbose. Comparisons among genomes enhance existing models for the ecological niches occupied by members of this family. In addition, genes encoding one type of enzyme known to participate in starch breakdown were found in all three genomes from responding species but none of the other genomes.
Abstract licence: CC BY
D. Harrison, R. Strong, S. Alavez, et al.
Aging Cell, 2019
- Healthy Aging
- Longevity
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
To follow-up on our previous report that acarbose (ACA), a drug that blocks postprandial glucose spikes, increases mouse lifespan, we studied ACA at three doses: 400, 1,000 (the original dose), and 2,500 ppm, using genetically heterogeneous mice at three sites. Each dose led to a significant change (by log-rank test) in both sexes, with larger effects in males, consistent with the original report. There were no significant differences among the three doses. The two higher doses produced 16% or 17% increases in median longevity of males, but only 4% or 5% increases in females. Age at the 90th percentile was increased significantly (8%-11%) in males at each dose, but was significantly increased (3%) in females only at 1,000 ppm. The sex effect on longevity is not explained simply by weight or fat mass, which were reduced by ACA more in females than in males. ACA at 1,000 ppm reduced lung tumors in males, diminished liver degeneration in both sexes and glomerulosclerosis in females, reduced blood glucose responses to refeeding in males, and improved rotarod performance in aging females, but not males. Three other interventions were also tested: ursolic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzothiazole (HBX), and INT-767; none of these affected lifespan at the doses tested. The acarbose results confirm and extend our original report, prompt further attention to the effects of transient periods of high blood glucose on aging and the diseases of aging, including cancer, and should motivate studies of acarbose and other glucose-control drugs in humans.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Jonatan Jafet Uuh Narvaez, M. R. Segura Campos
Journal of food biochemistry, 2022
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Hyperglycemia
- alpha-Amylases
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
2 hours
Mechanism
Alpha-glucosidase enzymes are located in the brush-border of the intestinal muco…
Food interactions
1 warning
Human targets
4 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
1-2%
Half-life
2 hours
[L31628]
Protein binding
1-2%
[L31633]…
Metabolism
Elimination
96 hours
[L31633]…
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Acarbose is one of only two approved alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (the other being [miglitol]), receiving its first FDA approval in 1995 under the brand name Precose (since discontinued).[L31668] This class of antidiabetic therapy is not widely used due to their relatively modest impact on A1c, their requirement for thrice-daily dosing, and the potential for significant gastrointestinal adverse effects.[L31668]
[L31628]
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 611 interactions
[L31628]
In the event of an overdose, patients should be instructed to avoid carbohydrate-containing foods for 4-6 hours following administration as these can precipitate the aforementioned GI symptoms.
[L31628]
Acarbose is a complex oligosaccharide that competitively and reversibly inhibits both pancreatic alpha-amylase and membrane-bound alpha-glucosidases - of the alpha-glucosidases, inhibitory potency appears to follow a rank order of glucoamylase > sucrase > maltase > isomaltase.[L31633] By preventing the metabolism and subsequent absorption of dietary carbohydrates, acarbose reduces postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels.
Given its mechanism of action, acarbose in isolation poses little risk of contributing to hypoglycemia - this risk is more pronounced, however, when acarbose is used in conjunction with other antidiabetic therapies (e.g. sulfonylureas, insulin).[L31633] Patients maintained on acarbose in addition to other antidiabetic agents should be aware of the symptoms and risks of hypoglycemia and how to treat hypoglycemic episodes. There have been rare post-marketing reports of the development of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis following treatment with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors - patients experiencing significant diarrhea/constipation, mucus discharge, and/or rectal bleeding should be investigated and, if pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is suspected, should discontinue therapy.[L31628]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L31628]
[L31628]
[L31633]
[L31628]
Only one metabolite - resulting from the cleavage of a glucose molecule from acarbose - has been identified as having alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
[L31628]
[L31633]
What little drug material is absorbed into the systemic circulation (approximately 34% of an orally administered dose) is excreted primarily by the kidneys, suggesting renal excretion would be a significant route of elimination if the parent drug was more readily absorbed - this is further supported by data in which approximately 89% of an intravenously administered dose of acarbose was excreted in the urine as active drug (in comparison to <2% following oral administration) within 48 hours.
[L31633]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:12547908 PMID:18036614 PMID:18356321 PMID:22058037 PMID:27480812
Mainly hydrolyzes short length oligomaltoses having two to seven glucose residues .
PMID:12547908 PMID:18036614 PMID:18356321 PMID:22058037 PMID:27480812
Can cleave alpha-(1,2), alpha-(1,3) and alpha-(1,6) glycosidic linkages with lower efficiency, whereas beta glycosidic linkages are usually not hydrolyzed PMID:27480812
PMID:14695532 PMID:18429042 PMID:1856189 PMID:7717400
Has highest activity on alpha-1,4-linked glycosidic linkages, but can also hydrolyze alpha-1,6-linked glucans PMID:29061980
ATC A10BD17
ATC A10BF01
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Acarbose
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
917
ChemSpider
23264314
ZINC
ZINC000096309558
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:7043
GenAtlas
MGAM
GeneCards
MGAM
GenBank Gene Database
AF016833
GenBank Protein Database
17648144
Guide to Pharmacology
2627
UniProt Accession
MGA_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10856
GenAtlas
SI
GeneCards
SI
GenBank Gene Database
X63597
GenBank Protein Database
36645
UniProt Accession
SUIS_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:477
GenAtlas
AMY2A
GeneCards
AMY2A
GenBank Gene Database
M18785
UniProt Accession
AMYP_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:4065
GenAtlas
GAA
GeneCards
GAA
GenBank Gene Database
Y00839
GenBank Protein Database
31608
Guide to Pharmacology
2611
UniProt Accession
LYAG_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:
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Structured knowledge from the free knowledge base
ATC classifications (Wikidata)
Linked open data from Wikidata (Q338005), a free and open knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Data is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication.