Addition of benfluorex to biguanide improves glycemic control in obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes: a double-blind study versus placebo.

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Roger P, Auclair J, Drain P

Addition of benfluorex to biguanide improves glycemic control in obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes: a double-blind study versus placebo.

J Diabetes Complications. 1999 Mar-Apr;13(2):62-7.

PubMed ID
10432168 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

The oral antidiabetic benfluorex lowers insulin resistance in liver and muscle without stimulating insulin secretion; it is more effective than a biguanide in lowering insulin and triglyceride levels and does not elevate lactate. This double-blind multicenter community study compared the addition of benfluorex versus placebo to diet plus metformin in 127 uncontrolled obese type II diabetics. After a 2-month run-in on diet plus metformin, overall mean glucose was 7.7 mmol/L or greater (fasting) and/or 11 mmol/L or greater (2 h after 75-g oral glucose), with 20% or greater excess body weight [body-mass index (women/men): > or = 26.9/> or = 27.2 kg/m2). Patients were then randomized to adjuvant benflouorex (n = 63; 150 mg t.i.d.) or placebo (n = 64) for 90 days, with centralized biochemical monitoring. On benfluorex, glucose decreased from day 0 to day 90 (fasting: 8.99+/-2.76 to 7.81+/-2.32 mmol/L, p = 0.002; 2 h post-load: 16.56+/-4.49 to 15.09+/-5.09 mmol/L, p = 0.029) versus increases on placebo (intergroup p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). HbA decreased on benfluorex (7.47+/-1.44 to 7.12+/-1.13%; p = 0.013) versus no change on placebo. Basal and stimulated insulin and C peptide did not change in either group. Body weight remained similar in both groups. Tolerability was good in both groups, with no increase in hypoglycemia on benfluorex. Adjuvant behfluorex improves glycemic control in obese type II diabetics uncontrolled by diet plus metformin. The combination is safe, well-tolerated and suitable for introduction into routine practice.

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