Acarbose

The Basics

What is Acarbose?

It can help with glycemic control in adults with diabetes.

Brand names for Acarbose

Precose

How Acarbose is classified

Hypoglycemic Agents

Acarbose During Pregnancy

Acarbose pregnancy category

Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Acarbose while pregnant

The safety of PRECOSE in pregnant women has not been established. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats at doses up to 480 mg/kg (corresponding to 9 times the exposure in humans, based on drug blood levels) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to acarbose. In rabbits, reduced maternal body weight gain, probably the result of the pharmacodynamic activity of high doses of acarbose in the intestines, may have been responsible for a slight increase in the number of embryonic losses. However, rabbits given 160mg/kg acarbose (corresponding to 10 times the dose in man, based on body surface area) showed no evidenceof embryotoxicity and there was no evidence of teratogenicity at a dose 32 times the dose in man (basedon body surface area). There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies of PRECOSE inpregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of the human response,this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Because current information stronglysuggests that abnormal blood glucose levels during pregnancy are associated with a higher incidence ofcongenital anomalies as well as increased neonatal morbidity and mortality, most experts recommendthat insulin be used during pregnancy to maintain blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.

Taking Acarbose While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Acarbose?

Less than 2% of a dose of acarbose is absorbed from the mother’s gastrointestinal tract

Maternal / infant drug levels

Less than 2% of a dose of acarbose is absorbed from the mother’s gastrointestinal tract

Possible effects of Acarbose on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Acarbose

Glipizide