Addition of Metformin to Liraglutide, A GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, Improves Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Masao Toyoda1*, Masaaki Miyauchi1, Noriko Kaneyama1, Moritsugu Kimura1, Tomoya Umezono2, Daisuke Suzuki3, Masafumi Fukagawa1
Affiliation
- 1Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
- 2Umezono Diabetes Clinic, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0018 Japan
- 3Suzuki Diabetes Clinic, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0035, Japan
Corresponding Author
Masao Toyoda, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Nephrology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan, Tel: +81-463-93-1121(ext. 2490); Fax: +81-463-91-3350; E-mail: m-toyoda@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp
Citation
Toyoda, M., et al. Potential New Pharmacological Approaches in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. (2017) J diab Obes 4(1): 1- 6.
Copy rights
© 2017 Toyoda, M. This is an Open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Keywords
Abstract
Background: The maximum permissible dose of liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, under the Japanese Heath Insurance system is 0.9 mg/day. We determined the effects of adding metformin to liraglutide therapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Material and Methods: This observational retrospective study included 47 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with liraglutide alone or in combination with sulfonylureas. Metformin was added at a dose ranging from 250 to 500 mg/day based on inadequate glycemic control. Liraglutide and metformin doses were converted from mg/day to mg/kg body weight/day before analysis of the correlation between the dose and changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI).
Results: Both HbA1c and BMI decreased significantly after 24 weeks of the combination treatment. Mild gastrointestinal adverse events were reported by 21% of the patients. Only the dose of metformin, but not that of liraglutide, expressed in mg/kg body weight was correlated significantly with decrease in HbA1c and BMI.
Conclusions: The addition of metformin to the maximum permissible dose of liraglutide helps secure glycemic control and reduce BMI in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who exhibit inadequate response to liraglutide.
