Acarbose for diabetes

 Is acarbose a good drug for type 2 diabetes?

Acarbose is an alpha glucosidase inhibitor. It works by preventing absorption of certain carbohydrates from the intestine. By inhibiting certain enzymes, the carbohydrates that are ingested are not broken down and excreted.

Acarbose is a good drug for very mild diabetes but alone it is not effective. Because the drug works in the intestine, it is known to cause severe bloating, cramps and diarrhea. Many people stop taking this drug because of the abdominal cramps.

Personally I think the drug is expensive and not worth the money. There is a generic available, which is slightly cheaper. I think acarbose is overprescribed and a mediocre diabetic drug. Metformin is still the best drug around.