Prospective comparative study in NIDDM patients of metformin and glibenclamide with special reference to lipid profiles.

Twenty-two NIDDM patients completed an open randomized cross-over study comparing metformin and glibenclamide over 1 year. The drugs had an equivalent effect on glycaemic control, but, in contrast to glibenclamide, metformin reduced body weight. Neither drug affected triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol or C-peptide. Metformin caused a slight elevation of HDL-cholesterol (P less than 0.05). No serious adverse effects were observed. The results show that oral hypoglycaemic agents are not associated with undesirable effects on lipids and lipoproteins.