A retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of metformin in the African-American patient.

Author(s): Briscoe TA, Anderson D, Usifo OS, Cooper GS

Affiliation(s): Department of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, USA.

Publication date & source: 1997-11, J Natl Med Assoc., 89(11):728-30.

Publication type:

A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the effects of metformin on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, and adverse events in an African-American population. Thirty-six patients who were receiving combination therapy with metformin and either a sulfonylurea or insulin were identified from a hospital pharmacy database. Nineteen patients met the criteria for efficacy analysis. The combination of metformin with either a sulfonylurea or insulin resulted in a decrease of the average HbA1c from a baseline of 10.07% to 7.92% (delta = 2.15%). The effect of combination therapy on weight was variable; however, twice as many patients lost weight compared with those who gained weight. Metformin appeared to be well-tolerated, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most commonly reported adverse events.