acarbose vs saxagliptin
Side-by-side comparison of acarbose and saxagliptin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Precose
Onglyza
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.
QTERN is a drug that combines two medicines to help lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be used 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.
QTERN helps adults with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. You should use it along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. QTERN 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.
QTERN contains two medicines that work in different ways to lower blood sugar. One medicine helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through your urine. The other medicine helps your body release more insulin after you eat.
- • Gas
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Urinary tract infection
- • High cholesterol
- Low blood sugar 269
- Feeling sick to your stomach 203
- High blood sugar 200
- Feeling lightheaded 160
- Loose, watery stools 147
- Congestive heart failure 428
- Increased blood sugar 401
- Heart failure 400
- Feeling sick to your stomach 372
- Medicine not working 333
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.
QTERN can cause a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, belly pain, confusion, and unusual fatigue. If you have these symptoms, get medical help right away. QTERN may also increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems.
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.
QTERN may harm your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. It is not recommended to use QTERN while breastfeeding.
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How to Read This acarbose vs saxagliptin Comparison
acarbose is classified in the Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor drug class, while saxagliptin sits within the DPP-4 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 saxagliptin has 1,934. 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 saxagliptin — 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.