Acarbose

Generic Name: Acarbose

Brand Names: Precose

Drug Type: Small Molecule

Chemical Formula: C_₂₅H_₄₃NO_₁₈

CAS Number: 56180-94-0

Unique Ingredient Identifier: T58MSI464G

Background: Acarbose is a complex oligosaccharide that acts as an inhibitor of several enzymes responsible for the breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the intestines. It inhibits both pancreatic alpha-amylase and membrane-bound alpha-glucosidases - including intestinal glucoamylase, sucrase, maltase, and isomaltase - which are responsible for the metabolism of complex starches and oligo-, tri-, and disaccharides into absorbable simple sugars. By inhibiting the activity of these enzymes, acarbose limits the absorption of dietary carbohydrates and the subsequent postprandial increase in blood glucose and insulin levels. Acarbose is therefore used in conjunction with diet, exercise, and other pharmacotherapies for the management of blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

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). 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.

Indication: Acarbose is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Associated Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Clinical Trials

Effect of Acarbose and Mixture of Pioglitazone and Metformin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Phase 3

Recruiting

Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes
Blood Glucose Fluctuation

Interventions: Drug: Metformin plus pioglitazone
Drug: Acarbose

First Posted Date: 2022-11-29

Last Posted Date: 2022-11-29

Lead Sponsor: Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University

Target Recruit Count: 50

Registration Number: NCT05629806

Locations: 🇨🇳
Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical Univesity, Nanjing, China

The Efficacy and Tolerability of Acarbose in Healthy Individuals

Phase 4

Completed

Conditions: Tolerance
Glucose Response
Side Effect

Interventions: Drug: Acarbose Tablets 50mg

First Posted Date: 2022-09-16

Last Posted Date: 2023-07-27

Lead Sponsor: AgelessRx

Target Recruit Count: 15

Registration Number: NCT05542849

Locations: 🇺🇸
AgelessRx, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Acarbose in Combination with Standard Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Phase 2

Not yet recruiting

Conditions: Kidney Cancer

Interventions: Drug: Acarbose Tablets

First Posted Date: 2022-08-04

Last Posted Date: 2025-02-21

Lead Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Target Recruit Count: 24

Registration Number: NCT05487859

Locations: 🇺🇸
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Response of Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes to Hypoglycemic Agents

Phase 4

Conditions: Type2 Diabetes Mellitus

Interventions: Drug: Glucophage 500Mg Tablet
Drug: Acarbose Tablets
Drug: Sitagliptin tablet
Drug: Dapagliflozin Tablet
Drug: Pioglitazone Tablets
Drug: Glimepiride Tablets

First Posted Date: 2020-02-27

Last Posted Date: 2020-02-27

Lead Sponsor: Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Target Recruit Count: 180

Registration Number: NCT04287387

Locations: 🇨🇳
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, Beijing, China

Real-world Study Comparing the Adherence and Effectiveness of Linagliptin vs. Acarbose

Terminated

Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Interventions: Drug: Acarbose
Drug: Linagliptin

First Posted Date: 2019-11-29

Last Posted Date: 2022-06-23

Lead Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim

Target Recruit Count: 85

Registration Number: NCT04180813

Locations: 🇨🇳
Huai'an first people's hospital, Huai'an, China
🇨🇳
Dongying People's Hospital, Dongying, China
🇨🇳
Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing, China

and more 7 locations