acarbose vs ertugliflozin
Side-by-side comparison of acarbose and ertugliflozin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Precose
Steglatro
Acarbose is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It works best when used with diet and exercise.
Steglatro is a drug that combines ertugliflozin and metformin. It helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Acarbose is used to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. You should use it along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. This medicine helps to keep your blood sugar from getting too high after you eat.
Steglatro is used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. You should use it along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is not for people with type 1 diabetes.
Acarbose slows down the digestion of carbohydrates (sugars and starches) in your body. It does this by blocking certain enzymes in your small intestine that break down carbs. This helps to prevent a sharp rise in blood sugar after meals.
Steglatro contains two medicines. Ertugliflozin helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through urine. Metformin helps your body use insulin better and reduces sugar production in the liver.
- • Gas
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Gas
- • Stomach discomfort
- Low blood sugar 269
- Feeling sick to your stomach 203
- High blood sugar 200
- Feeling lightheaded 160
- Loose, watery stools 147
- Feeling sick to your stomach 86
- Problem with missing a dose 67
- Urinary tract infection 62
- Throwing up 59
- Fungal infection 58
You should not take acarbose if you have diabetic ketoacidosis or cirrhosis. Also, do not take it if you have inflammatory bowel disease, colon ulcers, or any bowel obstruction. This medicine can cause liver problems in some people. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Steglatro contains metformin, which can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This is a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. It can be life-threatening. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms like weakness, muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, or feel very sleepy.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if acarbose will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if acarbose passes into breast milk.
Steglatro may harm your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Steglatro. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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How to Read This acarbose vs ertugliflozin Comparison
acarbose is classified in the Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor drug class, while ertugliflozin sits within the SGLT2 Inhibitor class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acarbose has 979 submissions while ertugliflozin has 332. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between acarbose and ertugliflozin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.