A placebo-controlled, randomized study of glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for whom diet therapy is unsuccessful.
This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study of glimepiride, a new oral sulfonylurea, was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes for whom dietary treatment was unsuccessful (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] = 151-300 mg/dL) during a 1-week screening period. Patients were randomized to receive glimepiride (n = 123) or placebo (n = 126) once daily for a 10-week dose-titration period, then maintained on an individually determined optimal dose (1-8 mg of glimepiride or placebo) for 12 weeks. Glimepiride lowered FPG by 46 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) by 1.4%, and 2-hour postprandial glucose by 72 mg/dL more than placebo. Glimepiride improved postprandial insulin and C-peptide responses without producing clinically meaningful increases in fasting insulin or C-peptide levels. Good glycemic control (HbA1C < or = 7.2%) was achieved by 69% of the patients taking glimepiride versus 32% of those taking placebo. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. No clinically noteworthy abnormal laboratory values or hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 60 mg/dL) occurred. Glimepiride is safe and effective for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes for whom diet therapy is unsuccessful.
Department of Internal Medicine/Endocrinology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA.
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Schade
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Jovanovic
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Schneider
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004035:Diet Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; C057619:glimepiride