Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Precose vs. Levemir

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Acarbose and Levemir (insulin detemir) are both medications used to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Acarbose is specifically used for Type 2 diabetes, while Levemir is used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor taken orally, and it works by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates in your gut. Levemir, on the other hand, is a long-acting insulin injected under the skin, helping to lower blood sugar levels over a 24-hour period. Acarbose is available as a generic medication, whereas Levemir does not have a generic option. Common side effects of acarbose include gas and diarrhea, while Levemir can cause low blood sugar, headaches, and injection site reactions. Acarbose is less likely to cause hypoglycemia when used alone, but Levemir can increase the risk of low blood sugar, especially when combined with other diabetes medications.

  • Acarbose
    Levemir (insulin detemir)
  • Acarbose
    Levemir (insulin detemir)

  • Summary of Precose vs. Levemir

    Summary for Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Acarbose is a medication that's used together with a healthy diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It isn't as commonly used as other diabetes medications since it can lead to some unpleasant side effects like gas and diarrhea. But acarbose is less likely to cause hypoglycemia compared to other diabetes medications when used on its own. This medication is only available as the generic name acarbose since the brand name Precose has been discontinued.

    Summary for Insulin
    Prescription only

    Levemir (insulin detemir) is a long-acting insulin that helps control high blood sugar levels in children and adults. It's injected under the skin, typically once or twice daily. Like all insulins, Levemir (insulin detemir) can raise your risk for low blood sugar, so make sure to keep fast-acting sugars with you in case your blood sugar level drops too low. This medication comes in vials. But it's also available as a Flexpen for people who have trouble drawing up insulin from the vial.

  • Indications of Precose vs. Levemir

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes
    •Type 2 diabetes

  • Pros and Cons of Precose vs. Levemir

    Pros and Const for Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Not likely to cause weight gain, instead it might cause weight loss
    •Helps control blood sugar levels after you're eating
    •Low risk of low blood sugar when used alone
    •Can be used with other diabetes medications
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Must be taken multiple times a day
    •Needs to be taken with meals
    •Side effects include excessive gas and diarrhea
    •Not recommended for people with severe kidney problems
    •Typically not considered a first-choice treatment option
    Pros and Const for Insulin
    Pros
    •Lower risk of weight gain compared to some other types of insulin
    •Doses can be adjusted to meet your body's needs
    •Insulin pens available for people who've trouble using insulin vials
    •Provides blood sugar control for up to 24 hours
    Cons
    •Must be injected
    •Might need to inject it twice daily
    •Can cause low blood sugar
    •No generic option available

  • Common Side Effects of Precose vs. Levemir

    Common Side Effects for
    •Excessive gas (74%)
    •Diarrhea (31%)
    •Stomach pain (19%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Shakiness, hunger, and other symptoms of low blood sugar (up to 93%, depending on what other blood sugar medications you're taking)
    •Common cold involving the nose, throat, and lungs (up to 27%)
    •Headache (up to 23%)
    •Pain or irritation of the throat (10%)
    •Back pain (8%)
    •Fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms (up to 8%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)

    Please note: These side effects were reported by people who took Levemir (insulin detemir) for type 1 diabetes. Your risk for side effects might be different if you have type 2 diabetes.

  • Warnings of Precose vs. Levemir

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar when taken together with other diabetes medications
    •Changes in liver labs
    •Losing control of blood sugar
    Common Side Effects for
    •Infections
    •Low blood sugar
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling from fluids and risk of heart failure

  • Prices with our coupons for Precose vs. Levemir

    Learn more about Acarbose
    Learn more about Levemir

Compare other Diabetes Type 2 drugs

Invokamet vs PrecoseJardiance vs PrecoseNesina vs PrecosePrandimet vs PrecosePrandin vs PrecosePrecose vs ActosPrecose vs AfrezzaPrecose vs GlucovancePrecose vs GlysetPrecose vs HumalogPrecose vs Human InsulinPrecose vs InvokanaPrecose vs JanumetPrecose vs LantusPrecose vs LevemirPrecose vs NovologPrecose vs VictozaStarlix vs PrecoseTradjenta vs PrecoseBrenzavvy vs JardianceEntresto vs JardianceFarxiga vs JardianceGlucovance vs JardianceGlyxambi vs JardianceInpefa vs JardianceJanuvia vs JardianceJardiance vs ActosJardiance vs AfrezzaJardiance vs GlimepirideJardiance vs Glipizide
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.