Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety of Nateglinide in Combination with Metformin. Results from a Study under General Practice Conditions

Abstract

In a general practice observation study 11 476 patients with type 2 diabetes pretreated with oral antidiabetic drugs, mainly metformin, received an oral combination therapy of nateglinide with metformin. Mean age ± SD of the participants was 61 ± 10.3 years, range 19 to 97 years, the body mass index (mean ± SD) was 29.4 ± 4.5 kg/m², range 14.9 to 68.7 kg/m². The observation period lasted 3 to 4 months (mean 96 days). During this period the mean HbA_1c decreased from 8.4 % to 7.2 %, displaying a positive relation between initial value and degree of reduction. Postprandial glucose levels dropped from a mean of 210 to 152 mg/dl. At the beginning of the study the combination of the two target values for glucose control, HbA_c < 7 % and postprandial glucose < 180 mg/dl, was reached in only 5.8 % of the participants, at the end in 44.9 %. During the therapy, weight and blood pressure dropped slightly. Adverse events were reported in only 2.9 % of the patients and involved a broad range of symptoms with mild gastrointestinal complaints being predominant (1.3 %). This study demonstrated that the combination of nateglinide with metformin can be considered as an effective and safe option for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, with additional beneficial effects on body weight and blood pressure.

Key words

Nateglinide - metformin - general practice study - safety - tolerability

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