Glimepiride as Add-on Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Metformin Monotherapy: A Real-Life Study from Egypt

Abstract

Background: Adding glimepiride to metformin monotherapy was reported to improve the glycemic status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with tolerable safety profile. Aim of Work:The present real-life study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of glimepiride add-on therapy in poorly controlled T2DM patients with metformin monotherapy. Patients and Methods:In the present prospective study, we included 1050 poorly controlled T2DM patients from Egypt, and for whom the investigators decided to prescribe glimepiride in addition to metformin. Glimepiride was added to patients uncontrolled on metformin monotherapy for at least three months despite reaching the maximally tolerated dose. Regimen doses were decided by the investigators to reflect the in-practice approach. We followed the included patients for at three months and safety outcomes were measured throughout the study period.Results: After three months of treatment, the mean HbA1c level decreased by 1.54% (95% CI: -1.61 to -1.46%), with a mean percentage reduction of 16.3% (p<0.001). In addition, 31.7% of the included patients achieved the targeted HbA1c level < 7%. The total number of adverse events was 15 adverse events occurred in 11 patients. Ten episodes of non-serious hypoglycemia were recorded. Conclusion:The present real-life study confirms the efficacy of glimepiride add-on therapy to metformin monotherapy among poorly controlled T2DM patients from Egypt. Moreover, glimepiride/metformin regimen exhibits welltolerable safety profile.