Key takeaways
Acarbose (Precose) and Miglitol (Glyset) are both medications used to help control blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. They belong to the same drug class, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and work by slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrates (form of sugar) in your gut, which helps lower blood sugar levels after meals. However, there are some differences bBoth medications are not likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used alone, but can cause low blood sugar if taken with other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. Both medications are not recommended for people with poor kidney function, so your healthcare provider will monitor this if you are taking either medication. Both medications can cause side effects like gas, diarrhea, and stomach pain, but these are more common with Acarbose. Lastly, neither medication is a first-choice treatment for diabetes, and both need to be taken three times a day with meals.
