Two medicines, side by side
Acarbose vs metformin
Acarbose and metformin are both labeled for type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acarbose since 1995 and of metformin since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.274 per acarbose 100 mg tablet and $0.0145 per metformin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and metformin a biguanide.
Check it at the source: the acarbose FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2026); the metformin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 2026).
Highlights of the acarbose record
Acarbose (Precose) · label of July 15, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAcarbose Tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 6, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.274 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the metformin record
Metformin (Glucophage) · label of September 3, 2026
WARNING: LACTIC ACIDOSIS Postmarketing cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis have resulted in death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. The onset of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal pain.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are biguanide indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 80 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0145 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 61
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acarbose label of July 15, 2026, Metformin label of September 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acarbose and metformin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and metformin a biguanide.
How each works, in its label's words: Acarbose, “Mechanism of Action In contrast to sulfonylureas, Acarbose Tablets do not enhance insulin secretion.”; Metformin, “Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Acarbose, “The plasma elimination half-life of acarbose activity is approximately 2 hours in healthy volunteers.”; Metformin, “Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the …”
Only the metformin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: acarbose since 2008; metformin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acarbose | Metformin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor | Biguanide |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action In contrast to sulfonylureas, Acarbose Tablets do not enhance insulin secretion. | Metformin is a biguanide that improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life of acarbose activity is approximately 2 hours in healthy volunteers. | Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 6, 1995 | March 3, 1995 |
| First generic approved | May 7, 2008 | January 24, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 80 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.274 per tablet (Acarbose 100 mg tablet) | $0.0145 per tablet (Metformin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +8% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 61 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,847 | 410,076 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to acarbose
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions