Study Compares ‘Add-On’ Drugs for Diabetes

A new study suggests that insulin might not be the best drug to add to metformin in the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes. But outside experts questioned the conclusions. The study was based on records from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration, Medicare and the National Health Index. People in the study had been taking metformin. Doctors added a second drug to better control their blood sugar. For about 2,400 people, that drug was insulin. Another 12,000 people added a type of drug called a sulfonylurea. In the next 14 months, both groups had similar rates of heart attack and stroke. But people who took insulin had a 44% higher death rate. Outside experts told HealthDay News that other factors may have caused the difference. People who got insulin were sicker, an American Diabetes Association official noted.