Effectiveness of acarbose,an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor,in uncontrolled non-obese non-insulin dependent diabetes

Summary The effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on glycaemic control, was compared with placebo in a double-blind, randomised, group comparison study during 16 weeks in 20 non-obese non-insulin dependent diabetic patients in whom sulphonylurea treatment had been withdrawn.There was significant deterioration in glycaemic control as assessed by HbA₁ following withdrawal of the sulphonylurea. There was no significant improvement in HbA₁ between weeks 0 and 16 in either the acarbose (11.3% and 12.4% respectively) or the placebo group (10.6% and 12.2% respectively). In both the acarbose and placebo treated groups fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were unaltered.This study also suggests that acarbose was not an effective substitute for sulphonylureas in non-obese Type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by diet alone.