acarbose

noun

acar·​bose ā-ˈkär-ˌbōs How to pronounce acarbose (audio)
: an antidiabetic drug C25H43NO18 that is taken orally as a tablet in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Note: Acarbose is an oligosaccharide produced by fermentation of a bacterium (Actinoplanes utahensis). The drug slows the absorption of glucose in the small intestine by inhibiting enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acarbose.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/acarbose. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!