Comparative evaluation of Pioglitazone versus Voglibose on glycemic control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Metformin

Background: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM) is a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with both macrovascular and microvascular complications. Due to progressive nature of type 2 DM, dual drug therapy produces additive effects, allows the use of submaximal doses, and less side effects of individual agents. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the effect of pioglitazone in comparison to voglibose on glycemic control as an add-on drug in patients with Type 2 DM whose glycemic status was uncontrolled with metformin alone. Methods: The present study was open, randomized parallel group comparison of two active treatment groups over a period of six months. Sixty-seven patients of either sex in the age group of 30-60 years, suffering from type 2 DM, with FBG 126 mg/dl and PPBG 200 mg/dl as per ADA were selected at randomly. The effect of pioglitazone and voglibose were observed on various parameters i.e. FBG and PPBG. Results: At the end of 6 months it was observed that though both pioglitazone and voglibose reduced FBG and PPBG significantly but pioglitazone caused a significantly greater percentage change in FBG but voglibose caused a significantly greater percentage change in PPBG. Few side effects were observed with voglibose and not with pioglitazone. Conclusions: Though pioglitazone and voglibose were equally effective in lowering Blood glucose levels yet pioglitazone showed better results in improving FBG, as compared to voglibose. Furthermore, voglibose presented better results in controlling PPBG, as compared to Pioglitazone. Pioglitazone had minimal side effects as compared to voglibose.