Key takeaways
Acarbose (Precose) and Humalog (insulin lispro) are both used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways and are used for different types of diabetes. Acarbose, available only as a generic, is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor taken orally to help control blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Acarbose needs to be taken multiple times a day with your meal. It works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates (form of sugar) in your gut, which helps lower blood sugar levels after meals. Acarbose can cause side effects like gas and diarrhea. On the other hand, Humalog is a fast-acting insulin used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and is administered by injection. It helps lower blood sugar by moving sugar from your blood into your body’s cells. Humalog should be taken before a meal and starts working within 15 minutes and lasts for 2 to 4 hours. You should not take Humalog if you are planning to skip a meal unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to, as this increases the risk for low blood sugar. Humalog can cause low blood sugar and weight gain, whereas acarbose is less likely to cause low blood sugar when used alone and might even lead to weight loss.
