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Glyburide/Metformin Combination Effective For Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled By Sulphonylurea

A combination of glyburide and metformin is more effective than either medication alone for type 2 diabetics not adequately controlled by sulphonylurea, diet and exercise.

Investigators from the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, assessed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the combined treatment in 639 patients with type 2 diabetes failing on sulphonylurea therapy.

Patients were randomly assigned to receive combined treatment or monotherapy with glyburide or metformin. Haemoglobin A1c levels were measured after 16 weeks of treatment.

Results showed that the combination of glyburide and metformin reduced haemoglobin A1c levels by 1.7% more than glyburide alone and by 1.9% more than metformin alone. The combination treatment also reduced mean fasting plasma glucose concentrations more that either medication alone.

Overall safety and tolerability were similar among the different treatment groups. Mild to moderate symptoms of hypoglycaemia were reported by more patients on the combined treatment. Also, more patients taking metformin monotherapy reported gastrointestinal problems.
Diabetes Obes Metab 2002;4:6:368-375. "Glyburide/metformin combination product is safe and efficacious in patients with type 2 diabetes failing sulphonylurea therapy"

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