Glucobay 50

Tablet · Bayer
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE

Glucobay 50 is a tablet made by Bayer that contains Acarbose 50 mg. Acarbose is a diabetes medicine (alpha-glucosidase inhibitor): slows sugar absorption from meals to reduce sugar spikes.

Ingredient (salt)Amount
Acarbose50 mg

What it is used for

Slows sugar absorption from meals to reduce sugar spikes.

How it works

An alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that slows starch digestion and lowers sugar spikes after meals.

How to take it

Usually 25 to 100 mg three times a day, chewed with the first bite of each meal.

Common side effects

  • Wind
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhoea

Get medical help straight away if

  • Severe stomach pain
  • Yellow skin (rare)

Be careful

Can cause gas and bloating; take with the first bite of a meal.

Other medicines and interactions

Treat lows with glucose (dextrose) when combined with other diabetes medicines. Charcoal and digestive enzymes weaken it.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Common questions

What is Glucobay 50?

Glucobay 50 is a tablet by Bayer containing Acarbose 50 mg.

What is Glucobay 50 used for?

Slows sugar absorption from meals to reduce sugar spikes.

How should I take Glucobay 50?

Usually 25 to 100 mg three times a day, chewed with the first bite of each meal. Always follow the dose your doctor or the pack gives.

What are the side effects of Glucobay 50?

Common side effects include: Wind, bloating, diarrhoea. Get medical help straight away for: Severe stomach pain, yellow skin (rare).

Does Glucobay 50 need a prescription?

Yes. In India it is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine, so a pharmacist should sell it only with a doctor's prescription.

Can I take Glucobay 50 in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

What are the substitutes for Glucobay 50?

We have no other brand with exactly the same composition and strength in our list yet. Ask your pharmacist for an equivalent.

Sources and further reading

NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.

Composition checked against pack details from large Indian online pharmacies. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

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For information only, not medical advice. This page is a plain-language summary written from standard prescribing information and the public guides linked below. Brands sometimes change their formula, so always check the composition printed on the pack. Doses here are typical adult doses; yours may differ. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without your doctor or pharmacist, and keep all medicines away from children. In an emergency, call 112 (India) or your local emergency number.