Precose® Tablets for Type 2 Diabetes

Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor used to manage type 2 diabetes. It slows carbohydrate breakdown in the gut to reduce after-meal spikes. This page explains strengths, usage, and access options, including US delivery from Canada. It also outlines ways to save if you pay without insurance.

What Precose Is and How It Works

Precose® is the reference brand for this medicine. The treatment works locally in the small intestine. It delays the conversion of complex carbohydrates into glucose, which can help lower post-meal blood sugar. It may be prescribed alone or with other diabetes therapies when diet and exercise are not enough. Effects are meal-dependent, so consistent mealtime use matters.

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

As part of a broader plan for Type 2 Diabetes care, this medicine can be combined with agents that act on insulin or glucose reabsorption. It does not replace nutrition guidance or physical activity. It should be used as directed by your clinician and aligned with official labeling.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated for adults with type 2 diabetes who need better post-meal control alongside diet and exercise. It may be suitable when fasting readings are near goal but after-meal values remain high. People with certain intestinal conditions should avoid it, including inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration, partial intestinal obstruction, or chronic digestive disorders. Those with diabetic ketoacidosis or severe liver disease, including cirrhosis, should not use it.

If you also use insulin or a sulfonylurea, your prescriber may adjust your plan to reduce low blood sugar risk. For broader context on medication classes, see our Diabetes Drugs List.

Dosage and Usage

Use this medicine exactly as prescribed, typically with the first bite of each main meal. Your prescriber may start at a low dose and adjust at intervals based on tolerance and blood glucose patterns. Taking it with meals is essential, since its action targets carbohydrate digestion in the intestine. Skipping doses between meals lessens benefit.

Swallow tablets with a small amount of water at the start of eating. If you experience stomach discomfort during the first weeks, your clinician may recommend slowing titration. Do not change your dose or schedule without guidance. When uncertain, defer to the official label and your prescriber’s instructions.

Strengths and Forms

This therapy is available as oral tablets in several commonly used strengths. Availability may vary by supplier.

• acarbose 50 mg tablets
• Additional lower and higher strengths are offered in standard tablet form.

Tablet counts and manufacturers can differ by lot. Your pharmacist will dispense the prescribed strength and quantity listed on your script.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose at the start of a meal, take it as soon as you begin eating. If the meal is almost over, skip the missed dose and resume at the next meal. Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose. The medicine’s effect depends on presence of carbohydrates in a meal, so between-meal dosing is not useful.

When used with insulin or sulfonylureas, low blood sugar can occur. Treat it with glucose tablets or gel. Sucrose-containing sweets may not correct lows effectively while on this therapy.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed. Keep at room temperature and protect from moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets. When traveling, carry your medicine in your hand luggage and bring your prescription label. For longer trips, set phone reminders so you can time doses with meals across time zones.

For a broader overview of insulin-based therapies that may accompany this treatment on trips, you can read Types Of Insulin.

Benefits

This class helps reduce post-meal blood glucose by delaying carbohydrate digestion. It acts locally in the gut, with minimal systemic absorption. It can be combined with other oral agents or insulin when advised. Many patients find it useful when after-meal levels are the main challenge despite consistent diet and exercise.

Because the effect is meal-timed, it offers flexibility to match your eating pattern. It may help smooth daily glucose variability when used as part of a comprehensive plan.

Side Effects and Safety

• Gas and bloating
• Abdominal discomfort
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Stomach cramps

Gastrointestinal effects are the most common and may lessen over time as your body adapts. Elevated liver enzymes have been reported, particularly at higher doses, so your clinician may check liver function periodically. Severe intestinal disorders, obstruction, or cirrhosis are contraindications. Hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas; know how to recognize and treat lows.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Digestive enzymes and intestinal adsorbents can reduce this medicine’s effect. Several oral agents for diabetes can increase hypoglycemia risk when used together, so careful monitoring is important. Alcohol may impact glucose control and stomach tolerance. If you take thyroid medications or other chronic therapies, share a complete list with your prescriber and pharmacist to screen for interactions. Always follow label guidance and the advice of your healthcare professional.

What to Expect Over Time

The therapy aims to blunt post-meal spikes. Some people notice steadier readings when they take it accurately with meals. Broader measures of control, such as A1C, may change gradually with consistent use, diet, and activity. Tolerance usually improves after the first weeks if titrated thoughtfully.

Track your after-meal readings, and bring them to check-ins. If you and your clinician are adjusting other medicines, expect periodic changes to your plan to balance benefits and tolerance.

Compare With Alternatives

When post-meal control remains difficult, prescribers may consider pairing this therapy with a DPP-4 inhibitor like Sitagliptin. When broader effects on fasting and cardiovascular outcomes are a goal, combination options such as Invokamet® may be discussed. Your plan should reflect your medical history, targets, and tolerance.

Pricing and Access

We list transparent options so you can review acarbose price and compare strengths. Canadian pricing is often favorable for cash-pay orders. You can view current availability, choose your quantity, and proceed to encrypted checkout. We support US delivery from Canada; fulfillment follows a valid prescription verified by your prescriber.

If you are looking for promotions, see our current Promotions. For broader shopping across diabetes therapies, browse Diabetes Care.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength and manufacturer. If a specific item is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend an alternative in the same class or a different class to achieve targets. We offer acarbose from Canada through licensed partners. We do not provide restock dates; your prescriber can decide on therapeutic substitutions if needed.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This therapy may suit adults whose main issue is post-meal spikes despite diet and exercise. It is not for people with inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, or cirrhosis. If your plan includes insulin or a sulfonylurea, monitor for lows and discuss how to treat them.

To save on out-of-pocket costs, ask your prescriber about multi-month fills to reduce dispensing fees. Refill reminders can help maintain steady supply so you do not miss meals. You can buy acarbose online with a valid prescription and select the quantity that matches your dosing schedule. For country-specific selections, you can also browse items originating from Canada.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Meal timing plan: how to schedule doses with typical meals
• Combination therapy: whether to add or adjust other diabetes medicines
• Managing side effects: steps if gas or bloating occurs
• Low sugar readiness: how to treat lows while on this therapy
• Liver monitoring: whether periodic labs are appropriate for me
• Diet alignment: carbohydrate goals while using this medicine

Authoritative Sources

• FDA DailyMed: Acarbose
• FDA Label: Precose
• Health Canada DPD: Acarbose

Shop acarbose online today and get US delivery from Canada with prompt, express shipping and temperature-controlled handling when required. This page is informational and does not replace medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s guidance and the official label.