Compare Precose vs. Invokana

Acarbose (Precose) and Invokana (canagliflozin) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that slows down the digestion of carbohydrates in your gut, leading to lower blood sugar levels after meals. It is taken multiple times a day with meals and is available only as a generic. On the other hand, Invokana is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that prevents the reabsorption of sugar in your kidneys, causing excess sugar to be excreted through urine. Invokana is taken once daily before the first meal and is only available as a brand-name medication. While acarbose is less likely to cause hypoglycemia and might lead to weight loss, it can cause side effects like gas and diarrhea. Invokana, however, can reduce the risk of heart and kidney problems but may increase the risk of genital infections and lower limb amputations. Both medications can be used alone or with other diabetes treatments, but they have different dosing schedules and side effect profiles.