Adding a sulfonylurea to existing metformin treatment for type 2 diabetes produces better cardiovascular outcomes, compared to switching to sulfonylurea monotherapy.
A major study including 77,000 patients in UK primary care who started metformin for type 2 diabetes between 1998 and 2013 found that this course of action reduced risk of heart attack and death from other cardiovascular causes.
Related Article: Insulin therapy in primary care – key points for nurses
Patients on sulfonylurea monotherapy were 26% more likely to have a heart attack and 28% more likely to die from any cause compared to those who stayed on metformin alone.
They were also 18% more likely to die from a cardiovascular cause and had a seven-fold increased risk of severe hypoglycaemia.
The researchers found that patients were at greater risk of heart attack and all-cause mortality when they switched to a sulfonylurea rather than adding one on to their metformin.
They suggested this was related to the cardiovascular protective benefits of metformin.
Related Article: Missed doses of vital medication in EDs putting patients at risk, study warns
During the follow-up period, just under 26,000 patients were either switched onto sulfonylureas as a second-line treatment option or had the drug added to their metformin treatment.
They pointed out that switching to sulfonylureas may drive adverse cardiovascular outcomes due to losing the protective effects of metformin.
They said in the paper: ‘Metformin is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events and low rates of hypoglycaemia. Supplementing treatment with sulfonylureas, a potentially cardiotoxic class with high risk of hypoglycaemic events, may outweigh the benefits of metformin.
Related Article: People with long-term conditions should have BMI check every year, says NICE
‘In line with current recommendations on the treatment of type 2 diabetes, continuing metformin when introducing sulfonylureas is safer than switching.’
