Rankings / Longevity — Pharma (Off-Label)
Acarbose
Longevity · Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
Also known as: Precose ·Glucobay
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Acarbose as B- (6.3/10) based on moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
ITP: extended male mouse lifespan by 22%, female by 5% — one of the most robust ITP findings.
Typical use: 25-100 mg TID with first bite of meals — Rx (T2D); often OTC outside US.
What this is
ITP: extended male mouse lifespan by 22%, female by 5% — one of the most robust ITP findings. Human longevity data is extrapolated from diabetes trials and Japanese cohort data. Cheap and well-tolerated if GI side effects are acceptable.
Mechanism
Inhibits intestinal alpha-glucosidases; slows carbohydrate digestion; blunts postprandial glucose spike; produces more favorable microbiome (SCFA production)
Dose & route
25-100 mg TID with first bite of meals
Citations
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6413665/
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/diabetes-drug-increases-lifespan-male-mice-shows-smaller-effect-females
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acel.13088
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41756128/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38201893/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Acarbose work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Acarbose as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.3/10). ITP: extended male mouse lifespan by 22%, female by 5% — one of the most robust ITP findings.
- Is Acarbose safe?
- Acarbose has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx (T2D); often OTC outside US. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Acarbose?
- 25-100 mg TID with first bite of meals
- How does Acarbose work?
- Inhibits intestinal alpha-glucosidases; slows carbohydrate digestion; blunts postprandial glucose spike; produces more favorable microbiome (SCFA production)
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.