Conversion from glipizide to glyburide: a prospective cost-impact survey.
Despite extensive clinical experience with second-generation oral hypoglycemic agents, the relative dosing equivalence of glyburide and glipizide remains controversial. A prospective survey was conducted to determine the feasibility and cost of converting noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients from glipizide to glyburide. A total of 211 patients previously stabilized on glipizide were converted to glyburide and returned to their respective clinics at least once during the following six months. The mean daily dose (+/- SD) of glipizide before conversion was 18.7 +/- 12.32 mg; the mean daily dose of glyburide after seven months was 9.9 +/- 6.52 mg (P less than 0.001, paired t test). Glyburide was well tolerated. The conversion program appeared to be successful and resulted in a 47% reduction in the mean daily dose after conversion from glipizide to glyburide, which, in turn, conferred a 43% savings in the projected yearly expenditures for second-generation oral hypoglycemics.
Alexis
G
G
Pharmacy Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts.
Henault
R
R
Sparr
H B
HB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D016527:Drug Costs; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005913:Glipizide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005905:Glyburide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D005905:Glyburide; D005913:Glipizide