Glibenclamide and Gliquidone in the Treatment of Non‐Insulin‐Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The effect of glibenclamide and gliquidone on fasting blood glucose, 24-hour urinary glucose excretion, HbA, concentrations and on the blood glucose and plasma insulin responses to an oral glucose load were investigated in 11 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The study was carried out as an open, ambulatory, cross-over trial during 24 weeks. After a 4week diet period the patients were randomly allocated to treatment with either glibenclamide or gliquidone. After a 8-week period on a constant drug dose, they switched over to the corresponding dose of the other drug, each patient thus being his own control. Glibenclamide and gliquidone reduced fasting blood glucose values (p <0.001), diurnal urine glucose concentrations @<0.001, resp. p<O.Ol) and HbA, concentrations (p<0.02 resp.p<0.05) compared to the values in the diet period. Glibenclamide proved more effective than gliquidone in lowering fasting blood glucose concentrations (p <0.01), but no difference in 24hour urine glucose and HbAl concentrations was seen between the two drugs. Glibenclamide and gliquidone improved the glucose tolerance after an oral glucose load @<0.01 resp. p<0.05) compared to diet values. The improved glucose tolerance during sulfonylurea treatment was, however, not associated with significant changes in insulin levels.