Publication:

Effect of glimepiride compared with glibenclamide on post prandial blood sugar in type II diabetes mellitus patients

Background Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem with many complications. The Global Burden of Diabetes Study has projected that there will be a 122% increase in the number of people with diabetes mellitus worldwide in 2025 compared to 1995. Despite the availability of new agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus oral sulfonylureas remain a cornerstone of therapy.Glibenclamide and glimepiride are widely used sulfonylurea antidiabetic drugs.

Methods A randomized, open, parallel group study was conducted by the Department of Pharmacology in association with Department of Medicine at Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (MMIMSR), Mullana, Ambala. Total 50 patients were divided into two groups I & II. In Group I (n=25) glibenclamide (5-15 mg/day) & in Group II (n=25) glimepiride (1-6mg/day) was administered for a period of 24 weeks and data analyzed by Student’s “t”- test.

Results There was a significant improvement in  the post prandial blood sugar score (p 0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusions Both the drugs glibenclamide and glimepiride were effectively reduced post prandial blood sugar in both the groups. But these sulfonylurea drugs lowered post prandial blood sugar to a similar degree without significant difference between the two groups.