Smoothing effect of a new alpha-glucosidase inhibitor BAY m 1099 on blood glucose profiles of sulfonylurea-treated type II diabetic patients.

The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor BAY m 1099, a deoxynojirimycin derivative, was studied in sulfonylurea-treated type II diabetic patients using a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over design. Given in two daily doses the inhibitor smoothened the blood glucose profile by lowering significantly post-prandial blood glucose peaks. Fasting and daily mean blood glucose levels measured as the area under the blood glucose curves were however not influenced significantly. This might be due to the short duration of the treatment periods or the low dosage of the drug. Abdominal side effects were negligible. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor BAY m 1099 might become a useful therapeutic tool in addition to sulfonylurea treatment in type II diabetes.