Saxagliptin is non-inferior to glipizide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin alone: a 52-week randomised controlled trial

Summary Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of saxagliptin vs. glipizide as add-on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and inadequate glycaemic control on metformin alone. Methods and patients: A total of 858 patients [age ≥ 18 years; glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) > 6.5 – 10.0%; on stable metformin doses ≥ 1500 mg/day] were randomised 1 : 1 to saxagliptin 5 mg/day or glipizide up-titrated as needed from 5 to 20 mg/day for 52 weeks. The primary objective was to assess if the change from baseline HbA1c achieved with saxagliptin plus metformin was non-inferior to glipizide plus metformin. Results: The per-protocol analysis demonstrated non-inferiority of saxagliptin vs. glipizide; adjusted mean changes from baseline HbA1c were −0.74% vs. −0.80%, respectively; the between-group difference was 0.06% (95% CI, −0.05% to 0.16%). Treatment with saxagliptin vs. glipizide was associated with a significantly smaller proportion of patients with hypoglycaemic events (3.0% vs. 36.3%; p