Can alpha-glucosidase inhibitors reduce the dosage of sulphonylurea compounds needed by patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus?
The effects of treatment with an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and a reduced dose of sulphonylurea were investigated in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who had previously been treated with sulphonylurea compounds but who were hypoglycaemic at times. Treatment with a daily dose of 0.6 mg alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and a reduced dose of the previously used sulphonylurea compound for 4 weeks did not significantly affect the glycosylated haemoglobin level. The post-prandial blood-glucose concentration of the patients was unchanged after treatment compared with its value immediately before treatment but differed significantly compared with the value 4 weeks before treatment (P < 0.03); it was considered likely that this change was due to a seasonal increase in calorie intake at the end of the treatment period. Symptoms related to hypoglycaemia disappeared in all of the treated patients.
Okada
S
S
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Ishii
K
K
Tanokuchi
S
S
Hamada
H
H
Ichiki
K
K
Ota
Z
Z
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds