Results of a new study demonstrated that initial combination therapy with Welchol® (colesevelam HCl) 3.75 g/d and metformin (initiated at 850 mg/d; uptitrated to 1700 mg/d thereafter) significantly improved glycemic and lipid control in drug-naive adult type 2 diabetes patients with high LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). In the study, treatment with Welchol plus metformin significantly reduced mean A1C levels by 1.1 percent and LDL-C levels by 21 percent. In addition, approximately two-thirds of patients who received Welchol plus metformin achieved the American Diabetes Association (ADA)'s glycemic goal of A1C levels less than 7 percent, which was statistically significant compared with metformin plus placebo alone. Results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study were presented today at the 70th Scientific Sessions of the ADA in Orlando.
"In this study, early intervention with Welchol and metformin significantly reduced A1C and LDL cholesterol levels, two important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in drug-naive adult type 2 diabetes patients with high cholesterol," said Yehuda Handelsman, MD, FACP, FACE, Medical Director of the Metabolic Institute of America in Tarzana, Calif. and investigator of the study. "Notably, these data indicate that initial combination therapy with Welchol and metformin may represent a safe and effective option to help patients with type 2 diabetes reach glycemic and lipid goals."