Acarbose in the Treatment of Type I Diabetes
- Priscilla Hollander, MD, PHD,
- Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD and
- Robert F Coniff, MD
- International Diabetes Center, Park Nicollet Clinic St. Louis Park, Minnesota
- St. Luke's/Roosevelt Center New York, New York
- Bayer Corporation, Pharmaceutical Division West Haven, Connecticut
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Priscilla Hollander, Ruth Collins Diabetes Center, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This 36-week multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of acarbose, administered in conjunction with diet and insulin therapy, for the treatment of patients with type I diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Acarbose was administered using a forced titration protocol in dosages ranging from 50 to 300 mg t.i.d.
RESULTS Treatment with acarbose was associated with a mean reduction in postprandial glucose levels (60 min after the administration of a test meal) of 59 mg/dl and a mean reduction in HbA1c levels of 0.48%. There was no difference in the incidence of hypoglycemia between treatment groups. Gastrointestinal events, including flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, were reported more frequently in acarbose-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients.
CONCLUSIONS Acarbose was found to be a safe and effective agent, when used in combination with diet and insulin therapy, for the treatment of type I diabetes.
- Received February 6, 1996.
- Revision received September 12, 1996.
- Accepted September 12, 1996.
- Copyright © 1997 by the American Diabetes Association
