Clinical Study: In Combination

Study design and methods:
A 3-month clinical trial comparing metformin monotherapy (n = 27), PRANDIN^® monotherapy (n = 28), and the combination of metformin and PRANDIN^® (n = 27) in patients who were previously poorly controlled on metformin alone.³

HbA1C significantly reduced with combination therapy
PRANDIN^® used with metformin provided greater glycemic control than either agent alone. In subjects receiving combined therapy, HbA1c was reduced by 1.4 ± 0.2%, from 8.3% to 6.9% (p = 0.0016), and FPG by 39.2 mg/dL (p = 0.0003).³

Study investigators conclude:
The rationale for combination therapy...

"Because metformin improves sensitivity to insulin but does not increase circulating insulin levels, it may be regarded as an antihyperglycemic agent rather than as a hypoglycemic agent." ³

"Combined metformin and [PRANDIN^®] therapy resulted in superior glycemic control compared with [PRANDIN^®] or metformin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes whose glycemia had not been well controlled on metformin alone." ³

If monotherapy with metformin or Prandin^® does not result in adequate glycemic control, combination therapy can be used. The dose of each drug should be carefully adjusted to determine the minimal dose required to achieve the desired pharmacologic effect to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia.

References:

1. Moses R, Slobodniuk R, Boyages S, et al. Effect of repaglinide addition to metformin monotherapy on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 1999;22:119-124.