Sanofi-Aventis: Studies show effective mealtime insulin dosing algorithms

Sanofi-Aventis has announced the publication of new study results showing two mealtime insulin dosing algorithms were effective for patients with type 2 diabetes.

The company said the two regimens including Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) – basal-bolus insulin once daily – and Apidra (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection) – basal insulin at mealtimes – resulted in significant reduciotns in A1c in patients with the condition, regardless of the algorithms used.

In the trial, patients were split into a simplified algorithm group where medication was administered at set doses and a carbohydrate counting group, where an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio was used.

Richard M Bergenstal, executive director of the International Diabetes Centre at Park Nicollet Health Services, said: “A combination of basal and bolus insulin may be needed to achieve optimal glucose control in type 2 diabetes patients.”

He added that the simplified algorithm used in the study facilitated patients starting with a fixed dose of Apidra and then move to a target based on pre-meal glucose patterns or carbohydrate counting.

In June 2008, Sanofi-Aventis announced the results of a new study showing Apidra to be non-inferior to insulin lispro in terms of efficacy in type 1 diabetes patients aged four to 17-years-old.