Improved glycaemic control by addition of glimepiride to metformin monotherapy in Type 2 diabetic patients

Aim To compare the effect of glimepiride in combination with metformin with monotherapy of each drug on glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetic patients. Design and methods Randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel‐group multicentre study conducted in France. Type 2 diabetic patients aged 35–70 years inadequately controlled by metformin monotherapy 2550 mg daily for at least 4 weeks were randomized to either metformin, glimepiride or metformin and glimepiride. Results Three hundred and seventy‐two patients aged 56 ± 8 years were treated for 5 months. Combination treatment was significantly more efficient in controlling HbA1c (% change + 0.07 ± 1.20 for metformin, + 0.27 ± 1.10 for glimepiride, −0.74 ± 0.96 for combination treatment, P