{"id":34983,"date":"2026-10-12T13:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T20:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/news\/how-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-starting-acarbose-medication-copy"},"modified":"2026-10-13T04:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T11:54:52","slug":"common-side-effects-of-acarbose-and-how-to-manage-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/news\/common-side-effects-of-acarbose-and-how-to-manage-them","title":{"rendered":"Common side effects of acarbose and how to manage them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common side effects of acarbose are gas, diarrhea and stomach pain. In clinical trials, 74% of people on acarbose had more gas than usual, 31% had diarrhea and 19% had abdominal pain. These effects happen because acarbose leaves some carbs undigested, and gut bacteria ferment them. They usually start in the first few weeks and ease over time. Starting at a low dose and adjusting your diet makes a big difference. Here&#8217;s what to expect and how to manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"key-takeaways\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas is the most common acarbose side effect, affecting 74% of people in trials vs 29% on placebo<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea (31%) and stomach pain (19%) are also common, especially early on<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea and stomach pain often fade back to normal levels within months, and gas tends to lessen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting at 25 mg and increasing slowly every 4 to 8 weeks is the best way to limit side effects<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acarbose alone doesn&#8217;t cause low blood sugar, but if you take it with other diabetes drugs, treat lows with glucose tablets, not table sugar<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rarely, acarbose raises liver enzymes, so your provider may check liver tests during the first year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"why-acarbose-causes-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why acarbose causes side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acarbose<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. It blocks the enzymes in your small intestine that break starches and sugars into glucose. That slows carb absorption and flattens the blood sugar spike after a meal, which is why it&#8217;s used for type 2 diabetes and, more recently, in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/longevity\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">longevity medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The side effects come from the same mechanism. Carbs that aren&#8217;t absorbed in the small intestine travel to the large intestine. There, gut bacteria ferment them and produce gas. Extra fluid can also be drawn into the bowel, which causes loose stools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So these effects aren&#8217;t an allergy or a sign something is wrong. They&#8217;re a direct result of how the drug works, and they usually lessen as your gut adapts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore related treatments: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acarbose<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00b7 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/metformin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">metformin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00b7 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/rapamycin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rapamycin<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-common-are-acarbose-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How common are acarbose side effects?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s what the FDA label reports from US placebo-controlled trials:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Side effect<\/b><\/th>\n<th><b>Acarbose<\/b><\/th>\n<th><b>Placebo<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas (flatulence)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">74%<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">31%<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19%<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notice that many people on placebo had these symptoms too. The extra risk from acarbose is roughly 45 percentage points for gas, 19 for diarrhea and 10 for stomach pain. Gas is by far the main issue. Most people who stop acarbose do so because of digestive side effects, so managing them well is what keeps the treatment working.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-do-acarbose-side-effects-last\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long do acarbose side effects last?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most people, digestive side effects peak in the first few weeks and then settle. In a one-year safety study, abdominal pain and diarrhea tended to return to pretreatment levels over time. Gas also tended to become less frequent and less intense, though it often doesn&#8217;t disappear completely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two things affect how long side effects last:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>How fast you increase the dose.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Jumping to a high dose quickly makes symptoms worse and longer-lasting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What you eat.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Meals heavy in starch and sugar give gut bacteria more to ferment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopping and restarting acarbose can reset the adjustment period, so consistency helps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-manage-gas-and-bloating-from-acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to manage gas and bloating from acarbose<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas and bloating are the most common complaints, and small changes help a lot:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Start low and go slow.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Begin at the lowest dose your provider recommends and increase gradually.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eat smaller meals.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Large servings of bread, pasta, rice or potatoes give bacteria more carbs to ferment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cut back on high-sugar foods and drinks.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sweets, sodas and juices are easily fermented.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limit other gas-producing foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while you adjust, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli and carbonated drinks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eat slowly and chew well.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This reduces swallowed air and helps digestion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Walk after meals.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Gentle movement helps gas pass and also lowers post-meal blood sugar.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If gas stays bothersome after a couple of months, talk to your provider about a lower dose or a different meal plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-manage-diarrhea-and-stomach-pain-on-acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to manage diarrhea and stomach pain on acarbose<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea and cramping usually improve with the same steps, plus a few extras:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stay hydrated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to replace fluid lost through loose stools.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Avoid sugary foods and drinks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can make diarrhea worse.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Choose bland, easy-to-digest foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while symptoms settle, such as rice, toast, bananas and oatmeal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Take each dose with the first bite of a main meal.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Acarbose works on the carbs in that meal, so timing matters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Don&#8217;t take digestive enzyme supplements with it.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Products containing amylase or pancreatin, and activated charcoal, can reduce how well acarbose works.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact your provider if diarrhea is severe, lasts more than a few days or leaves you dehydrated.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-dose-acarbose-to-reduce-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to dose acarbose to reduce side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FDA label is built around slow titration, precisely to limit digestive side effects:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><b>Step<\/b><\/th>\n<th><b>Dose<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting dose<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25 mg three times a day with the first bite of each main meal (or 25 mg once a day, building up to three times)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dose increases<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every 4 to 8 weeks, based on blood sugar and how well you tolerate it<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usual maintenance<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50 to 100 mg three times a day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximum (60 kg \/ 132 lb or less)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50 mg three times a day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximum (over 60 kg \/ 132 lb)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">100 mg three times a day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher doses don&#8217;t always mean better results, and they raise the risk of side effects, including liver enzyme changes. Your provider will choose the lowest dose that meets your goals. People using acarbose for longevity often take lower doses than those used for diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"less-common-but-serious-acarbose-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less common but serious acarbose side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few side effects are rare but worth knowing about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Liver enzyme elevations.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In year-long US studies at doses up to 300 mg three times a day, liver enzymes rose above normal in 14% of people on acarbose, compared with 7% on placebo. Elevations more than three times normal occurred in 3% vs 1%. These were usually symptom-free and went away after stopping. At doses up to 100 mg three times a day, rates were similar to placebo. Rare cases of more serious liver injury have been reported, mostly at higher doses and in people under 60 kg. The label recommends checking liver tests every 3 months during the first year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pneumatosis intestinalis.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Very rarely, gas-filled cysts can form in the intestinal wall. Warning signs include diarrhea with mucus, rectal bleeding and constipation. If your provider suspects it, they&#8217;ll stop acarbose and order imaging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Allergic reactions.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rash, itching or swelling are uncommon but need prompt attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get medical care right away if you have:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe or constant abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or unusual fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of an allergic reaction<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"acarbose-and-low-blood-sugar-use-glucose-not-sugar\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acarbose and low blood sugar: use glucose, not sugar<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taken alone, acarbose shouldn&#8217;t cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). But the risk rises if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea like glipizide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s the important part. Because acarbose blocks the breakdown of table sugar (sucrose), regular sugar, candy or juice may not fix a low quickly. Use glucose (dextrose) tablets or gel instead, which acarbose doesn&#8217;t block. If you take acarbose with other diabetes medicines, keep glucose tablets on hand. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/continuous-glucose-monitoring\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continuous glucose monitor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can also help you spot lows early.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"who-should-not-take-acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who should not take acarbose<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acarbose isn&#8217;t right for everyone. According to the FDA label, avoid it if you have:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammatory bowel disease, colon ulcers or a history of bowel obstruction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic intestinal conditions that affect digestion or absorption<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conditions that could worsen from extra gas in the gut<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cirrhosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetic ketoacidosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A known allergy to acarbose<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tell your provider if you take digoxin, since acarbose can lower its levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"acarbose-for-longevity-are-the-side-effects-worth-it\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acarbose for longevity: are the side effects worth it?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people now ask about acarbose for healthy aging rather than diabetes. The interest comes from the National Institute on Aging&#8217;s mouse lifespan program. In a 2014 study, acarbose extended median lifespan by 22% in male mice and 5% in females. It&#8217;s one of only a few drugs to pass that test, along with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/rapamycin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rapamycin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&#8217;s mouse data, not proof that acarbose extends human life. But for people who want to blunt blood sugar spikes after meals, the trade-off is mostly digestive. The side effects are usually manageable, rarely dangerous and reversible if you stop. Pairing acarbose with lab monitoring, like a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/test-for-general-wellness-longevity\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">longevity lab panel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, helps you and your provider judge whether it&#8217;s worth continuing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re comparing options, acarbose and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/longevity-info\/what-is-metformin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">metformin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> both lower blood sugar, but in different ways and with different side-effect profiles. Your provider can help you decide which, if either, fits your goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"when-to-talk-to-your-provider\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to talk to your provider<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reach out if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas, bloating or diarrhea is still disruptive after 2 to 3 months<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or signs of liver problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re having low blood sugar episodes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re starting or stopping other medications, especially insulin, sulfonylureas or digoxin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often a dose adjustment or a few diet changes are all you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-bottom-line-on-acarbose-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bottom line on acarbose side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acarbose side effects are common, mostly digestive and usually temporary. Gas affects about three in four people in trials, and diarrhea and stomach pain are also common early on. Start at 25 mg, increase slowly, take each dose with the first bite of a meal, and go easy on starch and sugar while your gut adapts. Watch for rare warning signs like severe pain or yellowing skin. If you take other diabetes drugs, keep glucose tablets handy for lows. With the right approach, most people can stay on acarbose comfortably.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wondering whether acarbose fits your metabolic or longevity goals? <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/getheally.com\/patients\/acarbose\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to a Heally provider about acarbose<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"what-is-the-most-common-side-effect-of-acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the most common side effect of acarbose?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas (flatulence) is the most common. In US clinical trials, 74% of people on acarbose reported gas, compared with 29% on placebo. It happens because gut bacteria ferment carbs that acarbose leaves undigested.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"do-acarbose-side-effects-go-away\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do acarbose side effects go away?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually they improve. In a one-year study, abdominal pain and diarrhea tended to return to pretreatment levels, and gas became less frequent and less intense. Starting at a low dose and increasing slowly helps your gut adapt faster.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-do-i-stop-gas-from-acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do I stop gas from acarbose?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start at a low dose, eat smaller meals with fewer starches and sugars, limit gas-producing foods like beans and carbonated drinks, and walk after meals. If gas is still disruptive after a few months, ask your provider about adjusting your dose.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"can-acarbose-cause-diarrhea\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can acarbose cause diarrhea?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. About 31% of people in trials had diarrhea on acarbose, compared with 12% on placebo. It&#8217;s usually worst early on. Staying hydrated, avoiding sugary foods and increasing the dose slowly all help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"does-acarbose-cause-low-blood-sugar\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does acarbose cause low blood sugar?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not on its own. But if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea, lows can happen. Treat them with glucose (dextrose) tablets, not table sugar or juice, because acarbose blocks the breakdown of sucrose.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"can-acarbose-damage-your-liver\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can acarbose damage your liver?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rarely. Liver enzymes rose in some people in long-term studies, mostly at high doses, and usually returned to normal after stopping. Your provider may check liver tests every 3 months during the first year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-is-the-starting-dose-of-acarbose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the starting dose of acarbose?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The usual starting dose is 25 mg three times a day, taken with the first bite of each main meal. Doses are increased every 4 to 8 weeks, up to 50 mg three times a day for people 60 kg or less, or 100 mg three times a day above 60 kg.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sources\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">US Food and Drug Administration. &#8220;Acarbose tablets: prescribing information.&#8221; DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=29939129-7d09-4c22-bf3e-491a8a97f4c4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dailymed.nlm.nih.gov<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McIver LA, Preuss CV, Tripp J. &#8220;Acarbose.&#8221; StatPearls, National Library of Medicine. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK493214\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ncbi.nlm.nih.gov<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harrison DE, et al. &#8220;Acarbose, 17-\u03b1-estradiol, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid extend mouse lifespan preferentially in males.&#8221; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aging Cell<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 2014. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/acel.12170\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wiley.com<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drugs.com. &#8220;Acarbose side effects: common, severe, long term.&#8221; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/sfx\/acarbose-side-effects.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drugs.com<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Acarbose is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Its use for longevity is off-label. Don&#8217;t start, stop or change any medication without talking to a licensed healthcare provider.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The most common side effects of acarbose are gas, diarrhea and stomach pain. In clinical trials, 74% of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":34986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2312],"tags":[1968,2194,2191,2193,2189,2196,2195,2190,2192,2328,1843],"class_list":{"0":"post-34983","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-metabolic-health","8":"tag-acarbose","9":"tag-acarbose-diarrhea","10":"tag-acarbose-digestive-issues","11":"tag-acarbose-gas-and-bloating","12":"tag-acarbose-side-effects","13":"tag-acarbose-side-effects-relief","14":"tag-acarbose-stomach-pain","15":"tag-common-side-effects-of-acarbose","16":"tag-how-to-manage-acarbose-side-effects","17":"tag-management","18":"tag-side-effects"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Side effects of acarbose and how to manage them - 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