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Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

Authoring team

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are a class of drugs used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

  • they act by reversible inhibition of the gastrointestinal sucrase, glucoamylase, dextrinase, maltase and isomaltase enzymes. These normally convert dietary starch and sucrose into absorbable monosaccharides. Enzyme inhibition therefore delays and reduces the peak of postprandial blood glucose
  • an example of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor is Acarbose

They may also be used in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and delay the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in these patients. They are beneficial for patients at risk of hypoglycaemia or lactic acidosis and who are not suitable candidates for other antidiabetic drugs such as sulfonylureas and metformin.

Note - acarbose is now used infrequently following the advent of drugs such as SGLT-2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists. (2)

Reference:

  1. Derosa G, Maffioli P. α-Glucosidase inhibitors and their use in clinical practice. Arch Med Sci. 2012 Nov 09;8(5):899-906.
  2. NICE. Type 2 diabetes in adults: management. NICE guideline NG28. Published December 2015, last updated February 2026

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