Could diabetes pills replace insulin shots in hospitals?

NCT ID NCT04416269

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Emory University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares continuing oral diabetes medications (like metformin) versus switching to insulin in hospitalized adults with type 2 diabetes. About 255 participants will be randomly assigned to either stay on their usual pills or receive insulin injections. The goal is to see if the pills can control blood sugar just as safely and effectively during a hospital stay.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: oral antidiabetic drugs (metformin, sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that many hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes can safely keep taking their usual pills instead of switching to insulin, simplifying hospital diabetes care.
What could go wrong: This is a moderate-sized Phase 4 trial, so results may not apply to all patients. Oral drugs may not control blood sugar as tightly as insulin in some hospitalized patients, and there is a risk of hypoglycemia or other side effects.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

diabetes mellitus hyperglycemia type 2 diabetes mellitus

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DIABETES MELLITUS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Emory University Hospital

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Emory University Hospital Midtown

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Grady Memorial Hospital

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

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