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Compare Precose vs. Novolog

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

Key takeaways

Acarbose (Precose) and NovoLog (insulin aspart) are both used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Acarbose is an oral medication taken with meals to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, which helps lower blood sugar levels after eating. It is available only as a generic medication. NovoLog, on the other hand, is a fast-acting insulin injected under the skin before meals to help your body absorb sugar from the bloodstream. It is available in both vials and prefilled pens. Acarbose is less likely to cause hypoglycemia when used alone, whereas NovoLog has a higher risk of causing low blood sugar and weight gain. Acarbose can cause side effects like gas and diarrhea, while NovoLog can lead to headaches and injection site reactions. Additionally, acarbose is not recommended for people with severe kidney problems, whereas NovoLog can be used by those with liver or kidney issues.

  • Acarbose
    Novolog (insulin aspart)
  • Acarbose
    Novolog (insulin aspart)

  • Summary of Precose vs. Novolog

    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

    NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar into your body so it can be used for energy. NovoLog (insulin aspart) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. It's typically injected under the skin at mealtimes, but it can also be given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider for people in the hospital. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

  • Indications of Precose vs. Novolog

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Precose vs. Novolog

    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
    •Starts to work within 10 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
    •Dose can be easily adjusted to make treatment tailored to your specific needs
    •Can use if you have liver or kidney problems
    •Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use
    Cons
    •Given multiple times per day (before each meal)
    •Must give as an injection
    •Might be hard for some people to inject properly
    •Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain

  • Common Side Effects of Precose vs. Novolog

    Common Side Effects for
    •Excessive gas (74%)
    •Diarrhea (31%)
    •Stomach pain (19%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Type 1 diabetes:

    •Severely low blood sugar (17%)
    •Headache (12%)
    •Accidental injury (11%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)

    Type 2 diabetes:

    •Muscles slow to react (11%)
    •Severely low blood sugar (10%)
    •Fungal nail infection (10%)
    •Impairment of your senses (9%)
    •Urinary tract infection (8%)
    •Sinus infection (5%)
    •Chest pain (5%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)
    •Headache (5%)
    •Skin problems (5%)

  • Warnings of Precose vs. Novolog

    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
    •Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
    •Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

  • Prices with our coupons for Precose vs. Novolog

    Learn more about Acarbose
    Learn more about Novolog

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