Intensive insulin strategy may ease diabetes drug burden

NCT ID NCT03958591

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Yanbing Li Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a short period of intensive insulin therapy, followed by a combination of basal insulin, metformin, and vildagliptin, could help people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes simplify their long-term treatment. The goal was to see if more participants could eventually manage their diabetes with just two oral medications. The trial enrolled 274 adults in China and used wearable devices to monitor progress.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: insulin, metformin, vildagliptin
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar with fewer medications, potentially using only two oral drugs instead of multiple injections.
What could go wrong: This is a completed Phase 4 trial, but results are not yet published. The approach may not work for everyone, and intensive insulin therapy carries risks like low blood sugar.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

type 2 diabetes mellitus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DIABETES TYPE2

Contacts and locations

Locations

Department of endocrinology, FAH-SYSU

Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China

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