Efficacy of insulin glargine plus glimepiride for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine plus glimepiride in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Sixty patients poorly responsive to oral sulfonylureas were randomly assigned to receive oral glimepiride plus injections of either insulin glargine (GL group, 30 patients) or neural protamine hagedorn (NPH group, 30 patients) for 12 weeks. Levels of fasting blood glucose and C-peptide, postprandial blood glucose and C-peptide, and HbAlc were detected 12 weeks after treatment. Results The fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly decreased. The incidence of hypoglycemia was lower in GL group than in NPH group (P<0.05) and C-peptide level was markedly higher. Conclusions Combination therapy with insulin glargine and glimepiride for type 2 diabetes is safe, effective, simple, and feasible. It can reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia and improve pancreatic function. Key words: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Insulin glargine ; Glimepiride tablets