metformin vs miglitol
Side-by-side comparison of metformin and miglitol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
The effect of miglitol (100 mg 3 times daily for 7 days) on the pharmacokinetics of a single 1000 mg dose of metformin was investigated in healthy volunteers. Mean AUC and C max values for metformin were 12% to 13% lower when the volunteers were given miglitol as compared with placebo, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Recommendation: Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels to ensure your treatment is still working as expected.
No summary available.
Miglitol (Glyset) helps control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be used with diet and exercise.
Information not available.
Miglitol treats type 2 diabetes. It helps lower your blood sugar levels after meals. You should use it along with a healthy diet and regular exercise to manage your diabetes.
Information not available.
Miglitol slows down the digestion of carbohydrates. This helps to prevent a large rise in blood sugar after you eat. It works in your gut to block certain enzymes.
- • Diarrhea
- • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
- • Headache
- • Gas
- • Diarrhea
- • Abdominal pain
- Feeling sick to your stomach 21,946
- Loose or watery stools 21,887
- High blood sugar 18,329
- Feeling tired 17,252
- Sudden kidney damage 16,440
- Low blood sugar 67
- Abnormal liver function 46
- Reduced appetite 39
- Diarrhea 37
- Kidney problems 37
No specific warnings noted.
No specific warnings noted.
No pregnancy information available.
There is not enough information about the safety of miglitol during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This metformin vs miglitol Comparison
metformin is classified in the Biguanide drug class, while miglitol sits within the Alpha-Glucosidase 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, metformin has 95,854 submissions while miglitol has 226. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to miglitol may slightly lower the amount of metformin that enters your bloodstream, but the change is usually not large enough to matter.. 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 metformin and miglitol - 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.