metformin vs pioglitazone added to sulfonylurea

Introduction

Study characteristics: 669 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 age 35-75 HgbA1c range: 7.5-11%. mean 8.8% treated with maximum dose of sulfonylurea from start at study continued treatment with sulfonylurea

Groups metformin titrated to a maximum of 850 mg TID pioglitazone titrated to a maximum of 45 mg QD

Results: after 1 year of treatment

mean HgbA1c decreased to 7.45% in metformin group, 7.61% in pioglitazone group

HDL cholesterol & triglycerides improved more with pioglitazone LDL cholesterol improved more with metformin

pioglitazone group more likely to develop edema metformin group more likely to develop diarrhea

pioglitazone group with mean weight increase of 2.8 kg metformin group with mean weight decrease of 1.0 kg

Additional terms

• metformin (Glucophage)
• pioglitazone (Actos)
• sulfonylurea