Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of taspoglutide monotherapy in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled.
Research design and methods: In this 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, 373 patients with type 2 diabetes naive to antihyperglycemic medication were randomized to weekly subcutaneous taspoglutide 10 or 20 mg or placebo.
Results: HbA(1c) reductions from baseline were greater with taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg than placebo (least squares mean [SE] changes: -1.01% [0.07], -1.18% [0.06], and -0.09% [0.07], respectively; both P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). Decreases in bodyweight were greater with taspoglutide 10 mg (-1.45 kg [0.32]) and with 20 mg (-2.25 kg [0.30]) than placebo (-1.23 kg [0.31]; P = 0.61 and P = 0.02 for taspoglutide 10 and 20 mg vs. placebo, respectively). Gastrointestinal adverse events and injection site reactions were more common with taspoglutide than placebo.
Conclusions: In drug-naive patients, once-weekly taspoglutide improved glycemic control, reduced body weight, and was generally well tolerated.