Table 2: Interventions tested in the 14 trials included in the meta-analysis
TrialSulfonylurea interventionMetformin interventionPlan in case of treatment failureIntervention arm not included in this analysis
ADOPT, 20062026Glibenclamide, PO; 2.5 mg/d initially, then up to 15 mg/d (7.5 mg twice daily) Metformin, PO; 500 mg/d initially, then up to 2 g/d (1 g twice daily)Escape medicine not allowed; participants excludedRosiglitazone
Campbell et al., 199427Glipizide, PO; 5 mg/d initially, increased to a maximum divided dose of 15 mg/dMetformin, PO; 500 mg/d initially, increased by 500 mg/d at each visit (every second week) to maximum of 3 g/dNR
Collier et al., 198928Gliclazide, PO; 80–240 mg/dMetformin, PO; 1.5–3.0 g/dNRHealthy controls
DeFronzo et al., 199529Glibenclamide, PO; 5 mg twice daily for first week, then 10 mg twice daily. Metformin placeboMetformin, PO; 500 mg/d initially. After 1 wk, increased to 1 g/d by adding 500-mg tablet at breakfast. After 2 wk, increased to 1.5 g/d by adding 500-mg tablet at lunch. After 3 wk, increased to 2 g/d by adding a second 500-mg tablet at evening meal. After 4 wk, increased to 2.5 g/d by adding a second 500-mg tablet at breakfast. Glibenclamide placeboEscape medicine not allowed; participants excludedCombination of metformin plus glibenclamide
Derosa et al., 200442Glimepiride, PO; 1 mg/d initially, titrated to maximum of 4 mg/d (2 mg twice daily)Metformin, PO; 1 g/d initially, titrated to maximum of 3 g/d (1 g 3 times daily)Escape medicine allowed
Hermann et al., 1991a30Glibenclamide, PO; 1.75–10.5 mg/dMetformin, PO; 0.5–3 g/dNR
Hermann et al., 1991b3134Glibenclamide, PO; 3.5 mg/d initially, increased to 14 mg/d. Tablets given shortly before breakfast; if daily dose exceeded 7 mg, then divided between breakfast and evening meal. Metformin placebo.Metformin, PO; 1 g/d initially, increased to 1–3 g/d in 2 doses shortly before breakfast and evening meal. Glibenclamide placebo.Escape medicine allowedCombination of metformin plus glibenclamide
Kamel et al., 199735Gliclazide and
glibenclamide
MetforminNRAcarbose and placebo
Lawrence et al., 200436Gliclazide, PO; 80 mg/d in single dose, titrated to 160 mg/d depending on fasting blood glucose levelMetformin, PO; 500 mg twice daily, titrated to 1 g 3 times daily depending on fasting blood glucose levelEscape medicine not allowed; participants excludedPioglitazone
Tang et al., 200441Glimepiride, PO; 1–2 mg/dMetformin, PO; 750–1500 mg/dNR
Tessier et al., 199937Gliclazide, PO; titrated to glycemic target; doses were 80, 160, 240 and 320 mg/d divided into 2 doses with breakfast and evening mealMetformin, PO; titrated to glycemic target; doses were 750, 1500 and 2250 mg/d divided into 3 doses with each mealNR
Tosi et al., 200338Glibenclamide, PO; starting dose was 1 tablet (5 mg) before lunch. Increased to 1 tablet twice daily (before breakfast and dinner), 2 tablets twice daily (before breakfast and dinner), and 2 tablets 3 times daily (before breakfast, lunch and dinner). For those given glibenclamide alone, the last 2 steps were 1 tablet of active drug + 1 tablet of placeboMetformin, PO; starting dose was 1 tablet (500 mg) before lunch.
Increased to 1 tablet twice daily (before breakfast and dinner), 2 tablets twice daily (before breakfast and dinner), and 2 tablets 3 times daily (before breakfast, lunch and dinner). Therefore, scheduled dose steps were 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 g/d for metformin
Escape medicine not allowed; participants excludedCombination of metformin plus glibenclamide
UKPDS 34, 19982,39,40Glibenclamide, PO; 2.5–20 mg/dMetformin, PO; 850-mg tablet daily initially, increased to 850 mg twice daily, then 1700 mg in the morning and 850 mg with evening meal (maximum 2550 mg/d). If symptoms of diarrhea or nausea occurred, dose reduced to level that previously did not cause symptomsEscape medicine allowedChlorpropamide and insulin
Yamanouchi et al., 200543Glimepiride, PO; 1–2 mg/dMetformin, PO; 750 mg/dEscape medicine allowedPioglitazone

Note: ADOPT = A Diabetes Outcome Progression Trial, NR = not reported, po = oral dose, UKPDS = United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study.