Mechanism and Clinical Effects of Acarbose

Metabolic Consequences

• The American Diabetes Association notes that acarbose reduces postprandial hyperglycemia by delaying glucose absorption, resulting in a smaller and delayed rise in blood glucose following meals 1, 2
• The European Association for the Study of Obesity recommends that acarbose decreases the hyperinsulinemic response that typically follows carbohydrate-rich meals, with a blunted insulin response 3, 2
• The American College of Endocrinology suggests that acarbose prevents reactive hypoglycemia by preventing the initial hyperglycemic spike, particularly beneficial in dumping syndrome and post-bariatric hypoglycemia 2, 4

Hormonal Modulation

• The Endocrine Society states that acarbose reduces gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) secretion and decreases glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release, lowering postprandial insulin secretion 2, 3