Evaluating the Effect on Total Daily Insulin Dose in Adult Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Managed with Metformin and/or GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists

Oct 13, 2025Innovations in pharmacy

Daily Insulin Needs in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Using Metformin and/or Hormone-Based Medicines

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Abstract

Average total daily insulin dose decreased by 3.54 units after adding non-insulin therapies in patients with type 1 diabetes.

The addition of non-insulin therapies resulted in changes in average insulin total daily dose of +4.06 for metformin, -5.9 for GLP-1 RA or GLP-1/GIP RA, and -6.9 units for the combination group.
Non-insulin therapies led to a statistically significant decrease in levels by 0.62%.
Patients experienced an average weight loss of 3.8 kg after incorporating non-insulin therapies.
Hypoglycemia was reported in 76% of patients receiving non-insulin therapies.

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: There are few studies that have assessed the utility of metformin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) in type 1 diabetes (), specifically looking at glucose control indices. These studies have largely evaluated the impact of agents within the class that are not routinely used. Limited data exist on the use of the dual glucagon-like peptide-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonist (GLP-1/GIP RA) in T1D. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this growing practice in utilizing these common non-insulin therapies in T1D.: This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients with T1D who received standard insulin therapy plus the following non-insulin therapies for at least 3 months: metformin; GLP-1 RA or GLP-1/GIP RA; or metformin and a GLP-1 RA or GLP-1/GIP RA (combination group). Data points were collected on starting dates of the first and second (if applicable) non-insulin agents, and the first office visit of at least 3 months on maximum tolerated doses. The primary endpoint was change in total daily insulin dose (TDD). Secondary and safety endpoints were evaluated in , weight, and hypoglycemia.: A total of 110 of 366 patients met inclusion criteria. Changes in average insulin TDD were +4.06, -5.9 and -6.9 units for the metformin, GLP-1RA or GLP-1/GIP RA, and combination groups respectively (P =0.013). TDD after non-insulin therapy addition decreased in all patients on average 3.54 units (P =0.02). Non-insulin therapies showed a significant decrease in A1c by 0.62%, weight by 3.8kg, and hypoglycemia was seen in 76% of patients.: Non-insulin therapies added to standard insulin therapy in T1D resulted in decreased insulin requirement, increased glycemic control, and decreased body weight. While statistically significant, it remains unclear if the decreased insulin requirement is clinically significant. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings. Purpose Methods Results Conclusions

Key numbers

3.54 units

Decrease in

Average change in after adding non-insulin therapies.

0.62%

Decrease in

Overall decrease in average after non-insulin therapies were added.

3.8 kg

Average Weight Loss

Overall average decrease in body weight with non-insulin therapies.

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Evaluating the Effect on Total Daily Insulin Dose in Adult Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Managed with Metformin and/or GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists

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