People mainly take Acarbose for longevity. Based on 8 first-hand reports and 58 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #971 of 1,974 overall.
Of reports that state an outcome, 100% are positive.
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: Several drugs are associated with weight change of varying magnitude. Data are provided to guide the choice of drug when several options exist and institute preemptive weight loss strategies when obesogenic drugs are prescribed.
PubMed 25590213 ↗Conclusion: This study shows that new anti-diabetic drugs, particularly GLP1-RA and Tirzepatide, are the most effective in inducing weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, exenatide appears to be the only GLP1-RA that induces a mild weight loss.
PubMed 34302978 ↗Conclusion: Implementation of these diagnostic and treatment recommendations may improve dumping syndrome management.
PubMed 27749997 ↗Conclusion: The effect of acarbose on weight loss seems to be more pronounced in Eastern than in Western populations with hyperglycaemia, and is superior to that of placebo, nateglinide and metformin across both ethnicities.
PubMed 24853116 ↗As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.
“the diet-mimicking drugs (metformin, SGLT2-inhibitors, rapamycin, acarbose) I use or have experimented with”
“Acarbose and sglt2 inhibitors get around this.”
“I'll be taking acarbose every day”
“Acarbose – Increased lifespan in both males and females”
“Acarbose: 400mg, daily”
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate