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PharmaInsight

Metformin hydrochloride vs Acarbose

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Data updated March 2026

Metformin hydrochloride was dispensed 1,307.9× as often as Acarbose in March 2026 — 2,331,945 items versus 1,783 in England.

2,331,945items

Metformin hydrochloride · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

1,783items

Acarbose · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Metformin hydrochloride versus Acarbose: national items dispensed by month

▬ Metformin hydrochloride   ·   ╌ Acarbose

Acarbose 2,331,945

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Metformin hydrochloride versus Acarbose, March 2026
Measure Metformin hydrochloride Acarbose
Items, March 2026 2,331,945 1,783
Items, last 12 months 27,395,015 19,849
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £5,257,359 £41,675

See the full profile for Metformin hydrochloride or Acarbose.