acarbose vs insulin degludec
Side-by-side comparison of acarbose and insulin degludec Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Precose
Tresiba
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.
Xultophy 100/3.6 is a combination of two medicines, insulin degludec and liraglutide. It helps control 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.
Xultophy 100/3.6 is used to manage blood sugar levels in adults who have type 2 diabetes. It should be used in addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise. This medicine is not for people with diabetic ketoacidosis. It has not been studied with prandial insulin.
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.
This medicine contains insulin degludec, which is a long-acting form of insulin that helps lower blood sugar levels. It also contains liraglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Liraglutide works by helping your body release insulin when your blood sugar is high and by slowing down the emptying of food from your stomach.
- • Gas
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Common cold
- • Headache
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Diarrhea
- • Increased lipase (an enzyme)
- Low blood sugar 269
- Feeling sick to your stomach 203
- High blood sugar 200
- Feeling lightheaded 160
- Loose, watery stools 147
- High blood sugar 3,617
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,381
- Low blood sugar 1,252
- The medicine is not working 963
- Using the medicine for a purpose it's not approved for 901
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.
Xultophy 100/3.6 may increase your risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Liraglutide, one of the medicines in Xultophy 100/3.6, caused these tumors in animals. It is not known if Xultophy 100/3.6 causes thyroid tumors in humans. You should not take this medicine if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your doctor if you notice a lump in your neck, have trouble swallowing or breathing, or if your voice becomes hoarse.
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.
Xultophy 100/3.6 should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Animal studies with liraglutide, one of the medicines in this drug, have shown risks to the fetus. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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How to Read This acarbose vs insulin degludec Comparison
acarbose is classified in the Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor drug class, while insulin degludec sits within the Ultra-Long-Acting Insulin 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 insulin degludec has 8,114. 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 insulin degludec — 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.