Comparative evaluation of voglibose versus pioglitazone on glycaemic control and lipid profile in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus on glimepiride and metformin in punjabi population

Background: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with both microvascular and macrovascular complications. Due to progressive nature of type 2 DM, dual / triple drug therapy produce additive effects, less side effects and allows the use of submaximal doses of individual agents. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the effect of voglibose in comparison to pioglitazone on glycaemic and lipid profile as an add-on drug in patients with DM whose glycaemic status was uncontrolled with glimepiride and metformin. Methods: The present study was open, randomized parallel group comparison of two active treatment groups over a six months period. Sixty patients of either sex in the age group of 30-75 years, suffering from type 2 DM, with FBG> 126 mg/dl and HbA1c between 7- 10 % were selected at random. The effect of voglibose and pioglitazone were observed on various parameters i.e. FBG, PPBG, HbA1c and lipid profile (Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL). Results: At the end of 6 months it was observed that though both pioglitazone and voglibose reduced FBG, PPBG and HbA1C significantly but pioglitazone caused a significantly greater percentage change in FBG as well as in PPBG whereas the difference in mean percentage change in HbA1C was not significant. Also, fall in total cholesterol, TG, LDL and VLDL was significantly greater with pioglitazone than voglibose. Few side effects were observed with voglibose and not with pioglitazone. Conclusions: Though pioglitazone and voglibose were equally effective in lowering HbA1C levels yet pioglitazone showed better results in improving FBG, PPBG and lipid profile as compared to voglibose. Pioglitazone had minimal side effects as compared to voglibose. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2012; 1(3.000): 160-167]