Long-Acting Insulin Degludec Similar to Insulin Glargine for Glycemic Control

Patients given insulin degludec three times a week achieve glycemic control similar to that of daily insulin glargine, according to a proof-of-concept, open-label, phase II study conducted by the manufacturer and published in the Lancet.

Nearly 250 insulin-naive patients with type 2 diabetes were treated with metformin and randomized to either insulin degludec (three times a week or daily at various doses) or daily insulin glargine.

After 16 weeks' treatment, all groups had achieved similar mean reductions in glycated hemoglobin, between -1.3% and -1.5%. Mean fasting plasma glucose concentrations, mean weekly insulin doses, hypoglycemic events, and adverse events were also similar.

Commentators say that longer-acting medications may be an attractive option because they "might improve adherence, improve glycemic control without an increase in hypoglycemia, and cause less disruption to the patient's lifestyle."