Clinical Studies of Tolazamide and Tolbutamide: Comparative Effectiveness of Control of Diabetes Mellitus

Tolazamide, a new oral hypoglycemic agent, was compared with tolbutamide, a related chemical compound, for stability of control of 12 patients suffering from maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. A short 12-week study was conducted which incorporated a cross-over design and the results were examined by variance analysis after dosage was individualized to the patient's requirements. Greater stability of fasting blood sugar was found on tolazamide; patients also had less glycosuria and lower fasting blood sugar on tolazamide. Tolazamide appeared to be between five and six times as potent as tolbutamide, mg. for mg.No hepatic, renal, hematologic or symptomatic toxic reactions were observed during the total of 72 person-weeks of tolazamide therapy.