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Glucobay (acarbose)
Glucobay (acarbose) is a Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor Small molecule drug developed by Zealand University Hospital. It is currently FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Also known as: glucobay.
Acarbose slows the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine, reducing postprandial blood glucose spikes.
Acarbose, also known as Glucobay, is a small molecule used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is studied in combination with other treatments, such as metformin and sitagliptin, as part of various clinical trials.
At a glance
| Generic name | Glucobay (acarbose) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | glucobay |
| Sponsor | Zealand University Hospital |
| Drug class | Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor |
| Target | Alpha-glucosidase enzymes (maltase, isomaltase, sucrase) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Diabetes |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that competitively binds to enzymes in the brush border of the small intestine, delaying the breakdown of disaccharides and complex carbohydrates into monosaccharides. This delays glucose absorption and results in lower postprandial glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The drug does not stimulate insulin secretion and works through a local gastrointestinal mechanism.
Approved indications
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal disturbances (flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort)
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Key clinical trials
- The Efficacy and Tolerability of Acarbose in Healthy Individuals (PHASE4)
- GlucoVIP - Diabetes Treatment by Glucobay® With a Special Therapeutic View to Chosen Patient Groups
- Comparison of Two Treatment Regimens in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes After Short-term Intensive Insulin Therapy (PHASE4)
- Efficacy and Safety of Alogliptin vs. Acarbose in Chinese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Patients With High CV Risk or CHD Treated With Aspirin and Inadequately Controlled With Metformin Monotherapy or Drug Naive (PHASE4)
- Acarbose and Older Adults With Postprandial Hypotension (PHASE2)
- Bioequivalence Study for Acarbose/Metformin FDC (PHASE1)
- Delineation of the Role of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Signalling in Relation to Increased Carbohydrate Content in the Distal Small Intestines (NA)
- Efficacy and Safety of Voglibose Compared With Acarbose in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Glucobay (acarbose) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Glucobay (acarbose) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Zealand University Hospital portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Glucobay (acarbose)
What is Glucobay (acarbose)?
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Is Glucobay (acarbose) also known as anything else?
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What does Glucobay (acarbose) target?
Related
- Drug class: All Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Alpha-glucosidase enzymes (maltase, isomaltase, sucrase)
- Manufacturer: Zealand University Hospital — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Diabetes
- Indication: Drugs for Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Also known as: glucobay
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing