Metformin and acarbose are currently the most commonly used anti-diabetic drugs. People with diabetes may be familiar with them and have all taken them or are currently taking them. Many friends have questions, is there a big difference between these two anti-diabetic drugs? How do they lower blood sugar? Which one lowers blood sugar faster? Let’s talk about it today.

Metformin and acarbose have different hypoglycemic mechanisms

Metformin mainly reduces blood sugar by inhibiting the source of glucose and increasing the outlet of glucose.

The sources of glucose inhibition include inhibiting the conversion of liver glycogen into glucose and reducing intestinal absorption of glucose.

Increase the outlet of glucose, that is, increase the uptake and utilization of glucose by peripheral tissues, that is, promote the uptake and utilization of glucose by muscle cells and fat cells, and convert excess glucose into muscle glycogen and fat storage At the same time, it increases the anaerobic glycolysis of cells and promotes the utilization of glucose, thus lowering blood sugar.

Metformin does not increase insulin secretion and will not cause hypoglycemia in normal people and patients with type 2 diabetes. Can reduce fasting blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar in diabetic patients. Metformin can also reduce plasma free fatty acid and triglyceride levels, reduce body weight, inhibit platelet aggregation, restore platelet function, directly improve vascular endothelial function, increase blood flow, reduce various risk factors, thereby protecting cardiovascular disease.

Acarbose, mainly by competitively inhibiting α-glucosidase in the small intestinal epithelium, can reduce the glucose produced from the hydrolysis of carbohydrates, such as starch, maltose, sucrose, etc., and reduce and delay the synthesis of glucose. absorbed, thereby lowering postprandial blood sugar. After long-term application, it can reduce fasting blood sugar and urine sugar, and can also reduce triglycerides and reduce weight.

Metformin has similar indications to acarbose

Metformin is mainly used for patients with mild to moderate type 2 diabetes who are ineffective in diet control and physical exercise, especially those with obesity. People with type 2 diabetes. For patients with type 2 diabetes whose treatment results are unsatisfactory with "Gliclide XX", acarbose, and insulin, adding metformin can achieve satisfactory results. The combination of metformin and "gliflozin XX" is more effective in treating initial type 2 diabetes than either medication alone. The combination of the two can also treat patients with secondary diabetes who have failed "gliflozin XX". Used in combination with insulin to treat type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, the dosage of insulin can be reduced.

Acarbose can be used clinically alone or in combination with other hypoglycemic drugs. It is especially suitable for obese patients with early type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels mainly rise after meals, and can delay glucose tolerance. Reduce the progression to diabetes. It is usually used in combination with insulin, "gliflozin XX", metformin and other anti-diabetic drugs to treat patients whose single use is not effective. It can enhance the anti-diabetic effect, reduce drug dosage, and reduce adverse reactions.

Metformin or acarbose, which one lowers blood sugar faster

Metformin is mainly absorbed in the small intestine after oral administration, such as metformin hydrochloride tablets (Glucophage), which are taken orally in China The pharmacokinetic test of this product shows that the peak blood concentration time is 2 hours, that is, around 2 hours, the hypoglycemic effect reaches its maximum. For example, metformin hydrochloride enteric-coated capsules. Domestic oral pharmacokinetic tests of this product show that the peak plasma concentration time is 2.7 ± 0.5 hours, that is, around 2.7 hours, the hypoglycemic effect reaches its maximum. Both are mainly excreted by the kidneys, and 90% are excreted by the kidneys 24 hours after taking the medicine.

Acarbose is almost not absorbed by the human body and mainly plays a role in the intestines. During the medication period, the proportion of carbohydrates in the diet should be increased and simple sugars such as glucose and fructose (which are abundant in fruits) should be limited. ) intake to improve the efficacy of the drug.

Acarbose acts directly on the intestines and only reduces and delays the absorption of glucose, while metformin lowers blood sugar in many aspects. Relatively speaking, metformin lowers blood sugar faster.