THE EFFECT OF SINGLE DRUG THERAPY VERSUS COMBINATION DRUG THERAPY IN INDIAN POPULATION WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Tamboli P*, Tekade A, Kuchake V, Ingale P

Their complimentary mechanisms of action suggest that a combination of pioglitazone hydrochloride and metformin may have clinically beneficial effects in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was undertaken to assess the safety and efficacy Pioglitazone, metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone, metformin lower HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. We compared the effects of these two drugs, used as monotherapy and in combination. This was a 24-weeks, observational, open-ended, openlabel study. Patients were receiving once-daily pioglitazone 30 mg, metformin 1000 mg and combination of pioglitazone 30 mg with metformin 1000 mg. Patients receiving combination had statistically significant mean decreases in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels compared with monotherapy. The incidence of adverse events was similar in all groups. No evidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity or drug-induced elevations in serum ALT was observed. In this study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, combination of pioglitazone with metformin significantly improved HbA1c and FPG levels, with positive effects on serum lipid levels compared with metformin and pioglitazone alone and no evidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. These effects were maintained for >24 weeks.