Study Links Higher Cardiovascular Risks to Common Diabetes Medication Glipizide

Recent research conducted by investigators at Mass General Brigham has revealed that certain widely used medications for type 2 diabetes may carry varying levels of cardiovascular risk. The study focused on comparing the effects of different sulfonylureas, including glipizide, glimepiride, and glyburide, with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

Analyzing data from nearly 50,000 patients across the United States, the researchers found that patients treated with glipizide experienced a 13% higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart failure, hospitalization, and death, compared to those using DPP-4 inhibitors. The study highlights that among sulfonylureas, glipizide was associated with the highest cardiovascular risk, although the effects of glimepiride and glyburide were less distinct.

This investigation utilized electronic health records and insurance claims from the BESTMED consortium, including patients with moderate cardiovascular risk receiving care at multiple sites nationwide. The researchers emphasized the importance of evaluating each medication within the same class individually, as they can have differing impacts on heart health.

Dr. Alexander Turchin, the study's lead author, noted that patients with type 2 diabetes are already at heightened risk for severe cardiovascular events like stroke and cardiac arrest. He also pointed out that, despite the affordability and popularity of sulfonylureas, there is a lack of long-term clinical data comparing their cardiovascular effects to other medication classes, such as DPP-4 inhibitors. The team suggests further research to understand the mechanisms behind these findings.

The results underscore the need for healthcare providers to carefully consider the cardiovascular implications when prescribing diabetes medications, potentially favoring alternatives with a more neutral or protective profile against heart risks.