acarbose vs metformin/empagliflozin
Side-by-side comparison of acarbose and metformin/empagliflozin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Precose
Synjardy
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.
Synjardy is a drug that combines empagliflozin and metformin. It helps lower blood sugar in people 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.
Synjardy is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 years and older. It helps control blood sugar levels when used with diet and exercise. Empagliflozin, one of the drugs in Synjardy, can also lower the risk of heart-related death in adults with heart disease. It can also lower the risk of heart failure and kidney problems in adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
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.
Synjardy contains two medicines that work in different ways. Empagliflozin helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through urine. Metformin lowers the amount of sugar your liver makes and helps your body use insulin better.
- • Gas
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Urinary tract infections
- • Yeast infections of the vagina
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- 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 21,946
- Loose or watery stools 21,887
- High blood sugar 18,329
- The medicine is not working 18,265
- Feeling tired 17,252
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.
Metformin 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 feeling very weak, muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, or a slow or irregular heartbeat.
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.
Synjardy may harm your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking Synjardy.
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How to Read This acarbose vs metformin/empagliflozin Comparison
acarbose is classified in the Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor drug class, while metformin/empagliflozin sits within the Biguanide / SGLT2 Combination 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 metformin/empagliflozin has 97,679. 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 metformin/empagliflozin — 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.