American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

Acarbose is classified as an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, which is a type of medication used to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by delaying the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestines, which helps to lower postprandial (after meal) blood glucose levels. This is particularly beneficial for diabetic patients as it allows for better control of blood sugar spikes that occur after eating.

In contrast, metformin is a biguanide that primarily works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Orlistat is a medication used for weight management that inhibits the absorption of dietary fats rather than carbohydrates. Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that increases insulin secretion in response to meals and decreases glucagon levels, thus having a different mechanism of action from alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Each of these medications has its own distinct role in diabetes management, but only acarbose specifically targets the enzyme involved in carbohydrate absorption.