HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF INDOBUFEN,AN ANTIAGGREGATING AGENT,IN ELDERLY DIABETIC PATIENTS

Inibition of platelet aggregation is of value in therapy for Transient Ischemic Attacks(TIA).We observed 2 consecutive elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM)and TIA,in whom chronic treatment with Indobufen(I) provoked a reduction of blood glucose levels; for this reason we started a cross-over study to assess the possible hypoglycemic effect of I in elderly patients with DM.Ten patients(5 males,mean age 75±5 years)with DM and TIA have been included in our study. After 1 month of diet treatment(1)all patients took either placebo tablets 2)or I 200mg every 12 hours for 4 weeks in a random cross-over fashion.After each period a daily blood glucose profile has been obteined. Results are the following:

Indobufen in the dose of 200 mg every 12 hours has an hypoglycemic effect. This side effect can be dangerous in patients already treated with hypoglycemic agents, but can be usefull as a single drug therapy for aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic vascular disease.