Meta Information
ID:acarbose
Name:Acarbose
Schema Version:2.4_uniform_evidence_2026_06_18
Created
2026-07-02T06:42:50Z
Model
phase-b-newfiles-claude-opus-4.8
Interactions
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Sulfonylureas / insulin
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Adding acarbose to a sulfonylurea or insulin further lowers blood glucose and can cause hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Blood glucose should be monitored closely, and a prescriber may lower the insulin or sulfonylurea dose.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
PRECOSE given in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause a further lowering of blood glucose and may increase the potential for hypoglycemia.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
monitor
Target id:
/dietary/sucrose
Target name:
Sucrose (table sugar) for treating hypoglycemia
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
conditional
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Acarbose blocks the breakdown of table sugar, so sucrose won't quickly correct a low - pure glucose is needed.
Actionable advice:
Treat hypoglycemia with glucose (dextrose) tablets/gel, not table sugar, while on acarbose.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Oral glucose (dextrose), whose absorption is not inhibited by PRECOSE, should be used instead of sucrose (cane sugar) in the treatment of mild to moderate hypoglycemia.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/intervention/digoxin
Target name:
Digoxin
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
pharmacokinetic
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Acarbose can change digoxin absorption and lower its levels, sometimes requiring a dose adjustment.
Actionable advice:
Digoxin levels should be monitored, and the dose may need adjustment.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
PRECOSE has been shown to change the bioavailability of digoxin when they are coadministered, which may require digoxin dose adjustment.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
monitor
Target id:
/class/digestive-enzymes
Target name:
Intestinal adsorbents / digestive enzymes (charcoal, amylase, pancreatin)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Charcoal and carbohydrate-splitting digestive enzymes counteract acarbose's action and reduce its effect.
Actionable advice:
Intestinal adsorbents or digestive enzyme products are best not taken together with acarbose.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Intestinal adsorbents (for example, charcoal) and digestive enzyme preparations containing carbohydrate-splitting enzymes (for example, amylase, pancreatin) may reduce the effect of PRECOSE and should not be taken concomitantly.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/class/hyperglycemic-agents
Target name:
Glucose-raising drugs (thiazides, corticosteroids, estrogens, phenytoin, niacin)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
relative
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
These drugs raise blood glucose and can reduce acarbose's glucose control.
Actionable advice:
Glucose should be monitored when starting or stopping these, and diabetes therapy may need adjustment.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Certain drugs tend to produce hyperglycemia and may lead to loss of blood glucose control. These drugs include the thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid products, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics, calcium channel-blocking drugs, and isoniazid.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
monitor
Target id:
/condition/inflammatory-bowel-disease
Target name:
Inflammatory bowel disease / cirrhosis / intestinal obstruction
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
contraindication
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Acarbose increases intestinal gas and carbohydrate fermentation, which is harmful in IBD, colonic ulceration, obstruction, or cirrhosis.
Actionable advice:
Acarbose should not be used in IBD, colonic ulceration, intestinal obstruction risk, or cirrhosis.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
PRECOSE is also contraindicated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, partial intestinal obstruction or in patients predisposed to intestinal obstruction.
Label source:
fda_label
Action type:
avoid