Diabetic control with gliquidone--a short acting sulphonylurea

Gliquidone (Glurenorm) and glibenclamide were compared in a cross-over study of 20 non insulin dependent diabetics. Both drugs achieved similar levels of control, as measured by self home monitoring, glycosylated haemoglobin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamidase levels. However, with glibenclamide hyperglycaemic control was only achieved at the expense of more hypoglycaemic episodes. The study examined the tailoring of drug dosage to the patients needs and found that in the majority of patients it was necessary to give both glibenclamide and gliquidone thrice daily. It confirmed the acceptability of self glucose monitoring in a home population.