[Treatment of diabetes without biguanides. Observation on the course after changing treatment (author's transl)]

In 56 patients with maturity onset diabetes receiving combined therapy with different oral hypoglycemic drugs, biguanide treatment was stopped while sulphonylurea compounds were continued without major changes. In four patients insulin therapy had to be initiated rapidly. In 14 other patients follow-up observations could not be performed for various reasons. The reamining 38 patients were divided into four groups according to their treatment. On the average, chemical control could not be maintained in any group after discontinuation of biguanide therapy. Blood glucose concentrations and glycosuria increased. Later, in 6 of 38 patients secondary failure of sulphonylurea treatment became apparent.