Aims/Introduction: Mitiglinide is the newest drug in the meglitinide family. It increases the early-phase insulin release through rapid association-dissociation kinetics in the pancreatic β cells. The efficacy and safety of adding meglitinide to metformin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown.
Materials and methods: We carried out a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial to assess the efficacy and safety of combined treatment with mitiglinide and metformin for patients with type 2 diabetes who showed inadequate glycemic control with metformin monotherapy. Subjects with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7.0% after an 8-week metformin run-in phase were randomized to a 16-week trial phase with metformin plus mitiglinide (Met + Mit) or metformin plus placebo (Met + Pcb).
Results: Compared with the Met + Pcb group, the Met + Mit group showed a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.7 ± 0.6%vs-0.4 ± 0.7%, P = 0.002), fasting plasma glucose (-0.77 ± 1.76 mmol/L vs-0.05 ± 1.60 mmol/L, P = 0.015) and 2-h postprandial glucose (-3.76 ± 3.57 mmol/L vs-0.84 ± 3.07 mmol/L, P < 0.0001). The proportion of the patients who achieved the target HbA1c value of <7% at the end of the study was also higher in the Met + Mit group than the Met + Pcb group (49.3%vs 28.8%, P = 0.016). There were no differences in the adverse event rates between groups.
Conclusions: Combination therapy with metformin and mitiglinide is effective and safe for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycemic control with metformin monotherapy. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00023.x, 2010).
Keywords: Metformin; Mitiglinide; Type 2 diabetes.