Avandia (rosiglitazone) reduced the risk of failure by 32% compared to metformin and 63% compared to glyburide at five years. Rosiglitazone was also more effective than metformin or glyburide in delaying the progressive loss of blood sugar control.
The primary reasons for loss of blood sugar control are increasing insulin resistance and declining beta-cell function. The trial demonstrated that rosiglitazone significantly improved insulin sensitivity and reduced the rate of loss of beta-cell function.
“This is the first long-term study to demonstrate that the progressive loss of blood sugar control can be delayed and target blood sugar levels can be maintained for a longer period with rosiglitazone than with metformin and glyburide, the two most frequently prescribed oral antidiabetic agents,” said Dr Steven Kahn, professor of medicine, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System and University of Washington School of Medicine.
GlaxoSmithKline hopes that the study will have a positive impact on Avandia, boosting sales of the diabetes drug.