Acarbose (oral route) - Side effects and dosage

This medicine is used with meals to help adults with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar. It is usually taken with the first bite of each main meal, starting at a low dose and increasing as directed by a clinician. Common side effects include gas, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain because it slows the digestion of carbohydrates, which are sugars and starches. Low blood sugar can happen when acarbose is combined with other diabetes medicines, especially insulin or sulfonylureas, a type of medicine that makes the body release more insulin. The correct dose depends on the person and should not be changed without medical advice.

What this means for you: This is useful medication guidance, not evidence that acarbose extends life in healthy people. Do not buy or use it for longevity without a clinician, and expect stomach-related side effects to be fairly common.