Clinical experience with acarbose: results of a Canadian multicentre study.
Current therapeutic options for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) focus on regimens that primarily lower fasting blood glucose concentrations. In several short-term studies, the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, has been reported to significantly lower post-prandial plasma glucose levels as well as HbA1c. The primary objective of this present study was to assess the long-term efficacy of adjunctive acarbose therapy to improve metabolic control. Over a 1-y period, acarbose or placebo was administered to 4 groups of patients: those managed by diet only, diet and sulfonylurea, diet and biguanide, and diet and insulin. In all treatment groups, the addition of acarbose resulted in significant reductions in postprandial blood glucose levels. Additionally, HbA1C was significantly lower after 12 months of acarbose therapy, compared with placebo, in all groups except the diet and insulin group. The addition of acarbose consequently expands the armamentarium available to clinicians for the optimization of glycemic control in patients with NIDDM.
Rodger
N W
NW
Centre de recherche, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Quebec.
Chiasson
J L
JL
Josse
R G
RG
Hunt
J A
JA
Palmason
C
C
Ross
S A
SA
Ryan
E A
EA
Tan
M H
MH
Wolever
T M
TM
D020909:Acarbose; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D020909:Acarbose; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008687:Metformin; D010919:Placebos; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D014280:Triglycerides; D014312:Trisaccharides